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Comfort  and 

From 

The   Shepherd   Psalm 


A  Devotional  Study  of  the  Twenty-third  Psalm 


BY      / 

'A 


CHRISTIAN  F.  REISNER 


THE   METHODIST   BOOK   CONCERN 

NEW  YORK  CINCINNATI 


Copyright,  1918,  by 
CHRISTIAN  F.  REISNER 


TO  HER, 

WHOSE  PERENNIAL  GENTLENESS, 

UNFAILING   AFFECTION, 

AND   LOYAL    CONFIDENCE 

HAVE   REFRESHED   AND   INSPIRED 

THROUGH  THE   BUSY   YEARS, 

MY  WIFE, 

THIS   BOOK   IS  LOVINGLY   DEDICATED. 


CONTENTS 

CHAPTEB  ?AO« 

A  Friend's  Foreword 9 

The  Author's  Foreword 13 

I.    The  Source  op  a  Believer's  Supplies  19 

II.    Appetizing  Food  for  the  Soul 44 

III.  Refreshment  Amid  Life's  Bewilder- 

ments 68 

IV.  The  Best  Self  Kept  Masterful  ...     86 

V.    Guided    Rightly    through    Active 

Days 109 

VI.    Comfort  for  Shadows  and  Sorrows  131 
VII.    Security  from  Sin's  Assaults 159 

VIII.    Social  Happiness  and  Spiritual  Con- 
tentment     184 

IX.    Foretasting  a  Homelike  Heaven...  210 

Bibliography 233 


A  FRIEND'S  FOREWORD 

The  twenty-third  psalm  is  the  gem  of  the 
Psalter.  It  stands  unrivaled  as  an  expres- 
sion of  simple  faith  and  confidence.  Wher- 
ever the  Hebrew  and  Christian  faiths  have 
been  instilled  into  the  hearts  of  men,  their 
immortal  words  find  lodgment  in  the  mem- 
ory and  spring  unbidden  to  the  hps.  It  is 
the  universal  confession  of  the  devout  and 
believing  soul. 

So  simple  is  the  psalm  that  it  hardly  needs 
a  commentary.  Yet  there  are  in  it  phrases 
and  allusions  that  have  been  illuminated  by 
the  researches  of  scholars  and  the  observa- 
tions of  travelers.  This  interpretative  ma- 
terial is  found  in  the  present  volume.  The 
author  has  read  the  best  literature  on  the 
subject  and  has  put  to  good  use  the  fruits 
of  his  reading. 

But  it  is  not  an  interpretation  that  the 
author  has  given  us  so  much  as  a  book  of 
devotion.    He  has  translated  the  moods  and 

9 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

sentiments  of  the  ancient  psalmist  into  the 
living  speech  and  thought  of  to-day.  In- 
deed, he  has  done  more.  He  has  made  the 
lessons  of  the  psalm  his  own,  has  assimilated 
them  into  his  own  being,  and  then  poured 
them  out  with  a  warmth  of  feeling,  a  char- 
acteristic uniqueness  of  style,  and  an  atmos- 
phere of  unaffected  piety  that  bears  the  soul 
of  the  reader  Godward  and  keeps  his  mind 
stayed  on  him. 

It  has  been  my  privilege  to  know  the 
author  intimately  for  twenty-five  years. 
His  multitudinous  activities,  his  tireless  en- 
ergy, his  resourcefulness  of  method,  and  the 
whole-hearted  objectivity  of  his  ministry 
would  hardly  suggest  to  the  observer  that  he 
was  a  mystic,  yet  such  he  is.  He  has  a  sin- 
gularly clear  vision  of  God,  a  directness  of 
approach  to  the  throne  of  grace,  a  simphcity 
of  faith,  a  vivid  consciousness  of  the  Divine 
Presence  and  redeeming  power  such  as  we 
are  not  accustomed  to  associate  with  so  active 
a  life.  This  book  is  a  transcript  of  his  own 
inner  experience.  It  is  a  message  from  the 
heart  to  the  heart.    Throughout  it  there  runs 

10 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

the  note  of  reality.  It  is  this  characteristic 
of  the  author  that  in  large  measure  accounts 
for  the  fruitfulness  of  his  ministry  and  for 
the  effectiveness  with  which  his  devotional 
writings  appeal  to  the  common  heart  and 
conscience. 

Albert  C.  Knudson, 
Professor  of  Old  Testament  Exegesis,  Bos- 
ton University  School  of  Theology,  Bos- 
ton, Massachusetts. 


U 


THE  AUTHOR'S  FOREWORD 

If  comfort  and  strength  be  supplied,  we 
will  be  completely  furnished.  Discourage- 
ment wrecks  ambition,  and  sorrow  saps  away 
vital  strength.  "Comfort  ye,  comfort  ye  my 
people"  was  not  a  vain  command.  There 
is  a  balm  in  Gilead  for  every  wound.  Paul 
walked  pathways  of  danger  and  battle  and 
knew  when  he  said,  "I  can  do  all  things 
through  Christ  which  strengtheneth  me." 
Our  gospel  is  for  earth  day  needs ;  we  do  not 
wait  for  a  future  heaven  in  which  to  enjoy 
the  benefits.  Jesus  as  the  Good  Shepherd 
lived  as  the  Son  of  man  among  men.  He 
actually  felt  all  our  human  experiences. 
And  so  he  understands. 

This  psalm  ties  the  Old  and  New  Testa- 
ments together.  We  here  find  promises  pos- 
sible only  to  the  heart  of  the  Good  Shepherd 
who  giveth  his  life  for  the  sheep.  No  need  is 
missed.  It  is  so  full  and  simple  that  com- 
ments seem  unnecessary.    But  others  have 

13 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

ventured,  though  no  one  has  sent  out  a  new 
book  in  ten  years.  The  first  manuscript  for 
"Comfort  and  Strength  from  the  Shepherd 
Psahn"  was  prepared  more  than  ten  years 
ago.  But  courage  to  offer  it  for  pubUcation 
did  not  come  until  a  scholarly  friend  sug- 
gested that  it  would  bring  spiritual  aid  to 
folks,  if  printed. 

Then  the  author  started  to  study  and  re- 
vise, working  through  hours  snatched  from 
sleep  and  amid  numberless  interruptions. 
A  busy  city  pastorate  leaves  Httle  leisure  if 
one  half  the  regular  duties  are  performed. 
But  excuses  will  not  enhance  the  book.  It 
is  far  from  ideal,  but  here  it  is  with  an  earn- 
est prayer  that  it  may  indeed  bring  Comfort 
and  Strength.  Twenty-two  years  in  city 
pastorates,  where  thousands  have  tested  the 
promises  and  hundreds  have  been  converted 
and  found  food  to  sustain  so  that  the  way 
could  be  traveled,  convince  the  writer  that 
as  never  before  the  world  is  hungry  for  God. 
"His  grace  is  sufficient"  and  "His  yoke  is 
easy"  and  "His  paths  are  paths  of  pleasant- 
ness" and  "His  spirit  does  guide  into  all 

14 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

truth"  and  "His  love  faileth  never."  The 
author  will  be  fully  repaid  if  here  some  of  the 
weary  find  rest,  the  hungry  be  fed,  the  sad 
receive  solace,  the  bewildered  see  the  "Way," 
the  lonely  find  friends,  and  all  of  us  at  last 
come  home  to  the  Father's  House. 


16 


flTlje  Ilorb  is;  mp  sifieplierb;  3J  gftall 
^^  not  toant.  ^  ^  «^ 
!!  J^e  mai^ett)  me  to  Ite  tiotrni  m  green 
pasfturesi:  be  leabeti)  me  tiesitbe  t^e 
gtill  toatersi.        ^  ^  ,^ 

fl  J^e  resitoretf)  mp  sfoul :  fje  leabetd 
me  tn  tije  pat^s:  of  ttst)teous(nes(£;  for 
W  name's;  s;afee.  ^  ^ 

^gea,  tfjousli  S  toalfe  tfjrougf)  tfje 
ballep  of  tfie  sstiaboto  of  beatfj,  3  turtl 
fear  no  ebtl:  for  tf)ou  art  tottf}  me; 
tjjp  rob  anb  tfip  s;taff  tliep  comfort  me. 
0  ^f)ou  prepares;t  a  table  before  me  tn 
tbe  pres(ence  of  mine  enemies^:  tbon 
anointes;t  mv  beab  tDitb  oil ;  mp  cup 
runnetf)  ober.  ^  ^  ^ 
H^urelj^  goobnejss!  anb  mercp  ssfjall 
foIlotD  me  all  tfje  bapsJ  of  mp  life:  anb 
^  toill  bbiell  in  tbe  bou£(e  of  tbe  Eorb 
foreber.  ^  ^  j> 


CHAPTER  I 

THE  SOURCE  OF  A  BELIEVER'S 
SUPPLIES 

"  The  Lord  is  my  shepherd;  I  shall  not  want " 

In  Florence,  Italy,  stands  an  old  building 
which  six  hundred  years  ago  was  a  palace. 
It  is  now  used  as  a  museum.  For  a  long 
while  it  was  a  jail  for  common  criminals.  It 
was  whitewashed  again  and  again  in  the 
effort  to  keep  its  dark  rooms  bright  and 
clean.  There  was  a  rumor  that  some  place  in 
this  building  was  a  portrait  of  Dante  by  the 
master  artist  Giotto — the  only  one  painted 
during  the  poet's  life.  Finally,  after  much 
search  and  picking  at  the  walls,  three  men 
devoted  to  art  discovered  some  signs  of  color- 
ing on  the  walls  of  a  particular  room.  They 
set  to  work  and  finally  uncovered  the  won- 
derful portrait.  This  incident,  none  the  less 
interesting  because  of  its  age,  lends  itself 
with  peculiar  fitness  to  a  scriptural  applica- 
tion.    Even  as  those  old  walls  had  become 

19 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

covered  with  dust,  dirt,  and  other  accu- 
mulations of  the  years,  thus  obhterating  the 
work  of  the  Florentine  painter,  so  in  the 
Book,  often  neglected  and  long  covered  over 
with  artificial  theories,  there  is  a  wonderful 
picture  of  God.  All  the  words  known  to 
man  have  been  used  to  dehneate  the  portrait. 
We  may  discover  it  for  ourselves  and  be  en- 
raptured and  lifted  by  the  vision.  We  may 
behold  the  King  in  his  beauty.  He  is  indeed 
the  "fairest  among  ten  thousand."  But  he 
is  more.  He  comes  closer.  He  is  our  Sav- 
iour, our  Friend,  our  Leader,  the  Good 
Shepherd. 

The  names  assigned  to  God  are  employed 
to  awaken  our  love,  to  arouse  our  imagina- 
tion so  that  it  will  create  pictures  of  God  that 
will  sustain  and  assure.  An  old  story  floats 
down  through  the  ages  about  the  great  war- 
rior, Hannibal.  He  had  donned  his  heavy 
armor  and  just  before  going  out  to  lead  his 
troops  into  battle  went  to  kiss  his  wife  and 
little  lad  farewell.  The  child,  who  worshiped 
the  father,  ran  away  in  fright.  The  father 
was  grieved  deeply  and  could  not  understand 

20 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

until  the  astute  mother  suggested  that  he  re- 
move his  armor.  Then  the  son  saw  the  real 
father  and  ran  again  to  his  arms  and  heart. 
How  true  this  is  concerning  God!  Some  de- 
scriptions frighten  folk  away.  But  we  may- 
see  "the  light  of  the  knowledge  of  the  glory 
of  God  in  the  face  of  Jesus  Christ"  (2  Cor. 
4.6). 

The  Bible  is  steadily  trying  to  give  us 
practical  and  heart-easing  visions  of  God, 
The  Old  Testament  is  full  of  names.  They 
go  from  the  tender  one  "Father"  to  the  ex- 
alted one  "Jahweh."  The  "shepherd"  was 
a  warm  term  that  brought  God  near  and 
made  him  dear  to  Israel;  it  behooves  us  to 
find  as  vivid  and  moving  a  name  for  our- 
selves. God  has  always  reached  after  the 
affections  of  man.  Jesus  came  primarily  to 
touch  the  love-life. 

The  Christian  religion  is  the  simplest  one 
known.  It  is  not  an  involved  and  compli- 
cated system.  A  plain  man  need  not  err 
therein.  Direct  access  to  God  is  possible. 
A  far-reaching  ritual  is  unnecessary. 
Priests  and  cloisters  often  hinder  and  be- 

21 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

wilder  us.  God  is  so  near  that  he  hears  and 
understands.  Christ's  gospel  is  for  every- 
day use.  That  which  asserts  itself  to  be  valu- 
able only  on  Sunday  is  a  spurious  kind. 

Hard-headed,  sensible  men  want  a  spirit- 
ual help  that  reaches  into  the  shops,  stores, 
and  streets.  That  kind  will  attract  and  will 
command  followers.  Theological  phrases 
that  mean  nothing  to  the  untutored  act  as 
sand  in  the  eyes  of  the  groping.  An  under- 
standable term  that  brings  news  from  God  is 
as  a  hghted  house  to  the  traveler  lost  in  a 
blizzard.  The  shepherds  understood  the 
angels'  message;  it  came  to  them  in  their 
time  and  tongue.  The  multitude  grasped 
Peter's  preaching  at  Pentecost;  he  was  so 
normal  in  his  himianity  that  he  used  the 
speech  of  the  masses.  Paul  struck  straight 
to  the  heart  of  Festus;  "Almost  thou  per- 
suadest  me,"  was  the  cry  of  the  ruler. 
Moody  turned  Bible  stories  into  up-to-date 
language  and  settings,  until  one  could  see 
the  characters  in  our  town  and  street. 

The  Bible  is  a  clearly  written  book;  it  is 
God's  word  revealed  so  that  the  wayfaring 

22 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

man  can  understand.  The  symbolizing  habit 
of  some  interpreters  is  unfair  and  even  un- 
true. We  dare  not  start  with  a  coveted  doc- 
trine and  then  quote  twisted  scripture  to 
prove  it ;  we  must  mine  its  truth  as  gold  from 
the  hills.  We  must  put  ourselves  in  the  time 
and  place  of  the  Book's  people  if  we  read 
aright.  Its  whole  purpose  is  to  give  us  a 
message  from  God.  Every  style  of  composi- 
tion is  employed  to  accomplish  this  purpose. 
Story,  history,  parable,  poetry,  exhortation, 
and  sermon  form  are  employed.  That  must 
be  remembered;  parable  and  poetry  must 
not  be  taken  in  a  bald,  literal  way. 

God  is  at  hand  and  not  far  off.  He  ten- 
anted a  body  like  ours  with  all  its  limitations. 
We  are  in  his  image.  He  is  moved  by  our 
need.  He  remembers  our  frame  that  we  are 
"but  dust."  He  can  understand  our  heart 
hungers.  He  was  lonely  and  genuinely  sor- 
rowed. The  seeking  always  find  solace.  He 
wants  us  to  enjoy  his  care  and  love.  For  this 
reason  Jesus  came,  toiled,  taught,  and  died. 
He  bids  us  come  freely  and  frequently  for 
all  needs.    He  endeavors  to  make  us  feel  at 

23 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

home  in  his  presence.  "As  many  as  received 
him,  to  them  gave  he  power  to  become  the 
sons  of  God."  We  are  no  longer  strangers 
but  fellow  citizens  with  the  saints. 

We  simply  say  ''Our  Father"  and  retain 
childlike  trust.  We  do  not  struggle  to  fol- 
low commandments  and  rules.  We  love,  and 
work  out  our  love,  and  that  fulfills  the  law. 
We  follow  the  footsteps  of  our  Leader. 
His  footmarks  are  on  all  life's  roads.  He 
knows  where  we  can  walk  and  our  strength. 
He  leads  us  on  to  better  things.  He  is  the 
Good  Shepherd  that  "giveth  his  life  for  the 
sheep."  When  our  hearts  are  tossed  by 
stormy  fear  we  quiet  them  by  saying,  "The 
Lord  is  my  Shepherd;  I  shall  not  want." 

Jacob  was  the  first  Old  Testament  char- 
acter to  describe  Jehovah  as  a  shepherd  in  his 
care  of  man.  Saint  Augustine  taught  this 
twenty-third  psalm  to  martyrs  so  that  they 
could  repeat  it  in  the  midst  of  their  suffer- 
ings. In  other  days,  when  Roman  Catholics 
persecuted  those  they  coimted  heretics,  two 
who  were  being  burned  at  the  stake  were  ac- 
costed by  a  bishop  who  said,  "You  would 

24 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

never  hear  prayers  read,  and  now  you  must 
listen."  But  they  did  not  "Hsten."  Instead 
they  chanted  together  the  twenty-third 
psahn  and  so  drowned  the  voice  of  the 
bishop.  A  business  man,  hard  driven  and 
perplexed  by  many  dogmatic  creeds  that 
were  insistent  for  attention  twenty-five 
years  ago,  declined  them  all  and  took  the 
twenty-third  psalm  as  his  creed  and  held 
strongly  to  it  and  grew  into  sweet  strength 
with  it  as  a  foundation. 

The  Shepherd  Psalm  ranks  second  only 
to  John  14  as  the  most-used  selection  in  the 
Book.  All  cults  sing  it.  The  Christian 
Scientists  employ  it  almost  as  much  as  they 
do  the  Lord's  Prayer.  The  hard  toiler 
tangled  in  problems  or  terrified  by  possible 
to-morrows  frees  his  spirit  through  its  con- 
templation. The  young  watch  for  the  sure 
Leader  and  the  aged  look  for  the  support- 
ing arm  of  a  Friend  as  they  repeat  it.  Its 
air  is  victorious.  It  fits  easily  to  music.  It  is 
so  pure  a  diamond  that  it  never  wears  out 
nor  loses  its  heart-stored  light. 

Late  critics  agree  with  Adam  Clarke,  the 

25 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

only  commentator  of  early  days  who  denied 
its  Davidic  authorship.  Briggs  and  Cheyne 
tell  us  that  it  is  a  nation's  song,  as  does 
Clarke.  MacLaren,  a  later  writer,  insists 
that  it  is  the  flower  of  an  individual  experi- 
ence. Delitzsch,  Perowne,  Henry,  Whedon, 
and  Plummer  hold  that  it  was  the  work  of 
David.  Some  place  it  near  the  beginning  of 
his  career,  others  at  the  close.  It  is  foolish  to 
deny  the  conclusions  of  best  scholarship, 
even  though  we  would  like  to  do  so. 

The  psalm  undoubtedly  has  the  air,  the 
stateliness,  the  sincerity,  the  heart  ring  that 
David  would  have  given  to  such  a  composi- 
tion, and  Plummer,  after  considering 
Clarke's  denial  of  its  Davidic  authorship, 
concludes:  "The  general  impression  is 
doubtless  correct,  that  the  psalm  was  written 
by  David.  The  habits  of  his  life  would 
furnish  all  the  imagery  of  the  first  part  of 
the  psalm.  David  was  eminently  fitted  to 
write  a  devout  pastoral."  Even  though 
unable  to  say  that,  yet  with  MacLaren  we 
may  say:  "No  doubt  Jehovah  is  the  Shep- 
herd of  Israel  in  several  Asaphite  psalms 

26 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

and  in  Jeremiah ;  but  notwithstanding  great 
authorities,  I  cannot  persuade  myself  that 
the  voice  which  comes  so  straight  to  the 
heart  did  not  come  from  the  heart  of  a 
brother  speaking  across  the  centuries  his  own 
personal  emotions,  which  are  universal  just 
because  they  are  individual.  It  is  the  pure 
utterance  of  personal  trust  in  Jehovah,  dark- 
ened by  no  fears  or  complaints  and  so  per- 
fectly at  rest  that  it  has  nothing  more  to 
ask."  Some  one  with  an  experience  like  Da- 
vid's wrote  it ;  and  if,  then,  it  is  employed  to 
express  Israel's  experience,  he  dedicated  it 
to  that  purpose.  Without  too  technical 
study  let  us  endeavor  to  find  the  spiritual 
gold  and  put  that  into  circulation. 

Every  word  is  rich.  No  unnecessary  lan- 
guage is  employed.  Meditation  is  difficult  in 
this  busy  day,  yet  we  may  well  employ  it  here. 
"My  Shepherd"  gives  meaning  to  the  whole 
psalm.  Briggs  and  Cheyne,  with  several 
others,  insist  that  the  figure  changes  later 
on.  Briggs  cuts  it  into  three  sections.  The 
"Shepherd"  prevails  up  to  verse  3b,  where  a 
Guide  for  the  people  comes  in,  and  at  verse  5 

27 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

a  Host  banquets  his  guests.  Briggs  says  that 
the  poetry  in  the  first  section  is  a  "trimeter," 
the  second  a  "tetrameter,"  the  third  a  "pen- 
tameter." "This  is  an  advance  toward  a  ch- 
max  of  joyous  faith  in  Yahweh." 

"The  Song  of  the  Syrian  Guest"  shows 
how  easy  it  is  to  carry  the  figure  of  the  shep- 
herd through  the  whole  psahn.  Cheyne,  the 
extreme  critic,  seems  at  least  partially  to 
agree  with  the  Syrian  author  when,  in  com- 
menting on  verse  five,  he  says,  "We  are  now 
at  one  of  the  resting  places  of  the  flock." 

"Yahweh"  is  Israel's  great  word  for 
"God,"  It  is  used  here.  It  was  too  high  and 
terrible  to  speak  often.  The  false  "awful- 
ness"  grew  out  of  a  wrong  conception  of 
the  declaration  of  Moses  that  "No  man  can 
see  God  and  hve."  An  old  tradition  tells  of 
a  Roman  test  demanded  by  an  emperor  to 
prove  the  preeminence  of  either  the  Jew  or 
the  Christian.  The  Jewish  rabbi  breathed 
the  name  "Yahweh"  into  an  ox's  ear  and  it 
dropped  dead.  A  priest  spoke  Christ's  name 
and  the  ox  came  to  hfe  again. 

Israel  never  questioned  the  might  of  Je- 

28 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

hovah  or  Yahweh.  Even  when  polytheistic 
tendencies  were  preeminent  His  powers 
were  unquestioned.  So  it  is  clear  that  the 
omnipotent,  unchanging,  all-knowing  God 
is  in  mind. 

We  need  a  little  revival  of  Calvin's  em- 
phasis on  the  absolute  God.  We  have  by 
profanity  and  egotism  become  too  cheaply 
familiar  with  the  name  of  God.  Our  high 
conception  has  shrunk.  Man  is  too  inde- 
pendent. God  has  been  fenced  up  and 
limited.  We  must  remember  that  he  is  still 
Ruler  of  the  universe.  "I  believe  in  God  the 
Father  Almighty,  maker  of  heaven  and 
earth."    Do  we  believe  it? 

He  inhabiteth  eternity.  His  will  is  su- 
preme. Man  cannot  defeat  him  in  the  end. 
Our  God  is  checked  by  nothing  but  his  lov- 
ing, yet  just  nature.  He  can  dispense  what 
he  will.  His  resources  have  no  bounds. 
Limitations  are  unknown.  Therefore  our 
petition  will  not  be  turned  away  because  of 
poverty  or  inattention.  He  is  great  in 
power,  great  in  vision,  great  in  love,  great  in 
knowledge.     He  is  never  helpless  nor  ex- 

29 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

hausted.  He  is  sure  to  aid  us  when  we  need. 
This  is  the  great,  all-inclusive  God  who  is 
called  "My  Shepherd."  His  greatness  in- 
cludes the  ability  to  note  the  fall  of  the  spar- 
row as  certainly  as  to  speak  worlds  into 
existence.  His  power  expresses  itself  in  lov- 
ing care  for  man's  many  needs  as  surely  as 
in  arranging  all  the  mechanism  of  the  uni- 
verse. 

''The  Lord  is  my  shepherd''  has  many  il- 
luminating translations,  Plunmier  names 
a  number.  The  Chaldee:  "The  Lord  fed  his 
people  in  the  wilderness."  The  Septuagint, 
Syriac,  Arabic :  "The  Lord  feeds  me."  Vul- 
gate and  Douai:  "The  Lord  ruleth  me." 
Adam  Clarke  quotes  the  Scotch:  "The  Lord 
governs  me."  The  best  word  is  "Shepherd" 
and  properly  comprehended  brings  soothing 
reassurance. 

We  Americans  cannot  understand  its 
measureless  meaning.  It  was  a  vivid  term 
to  this  people  who  roamed  about  as  did  the 
early  American  Indians  seeking  provender. 
They  had  no  fences  and  farms.  They  under- 
stood how  the  shepherd  found  pastures  and 

30 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

springs  and  led  along  dangerous  pathways 
and  guarded  against  destructive  beasts.  We 
as  mortals  have  here  "no  continuing  city." 
We  cannot  put  up  a  tent  or  tabernacle  on 
our  mount  of  transfiguration  and  rest  in 
ease;  we  too  must  go  down  into  the  valley 
of  doubt  and  trial.  The  ways  are  dangerous, 
the  pasture  often  sparse,  and  the  beasts  nu- 
merous. As  we  journey  the  Shepherd  must 
care  for  us,  then  all  things  will  work  to- 
gether for  our  good. 

What  does  the  shepherd  do? 

He  is  experienced.  He  knows  the  sheep. 
He  recognizes  their  needs,  how  and  when  to 
supply  them.  He  is  posted  concerning  the 
best  pastures.  He  understands  the  threat- 
ening dangers.  He  feels  keenly  the  respon- 
sibilities upon  him.  He  will  do  his  best  to 
meet  them.  This  is  surely  true  when  applied 
to  Christ,  my  Shepherd.  It  ought  to  be 
equally  true  of  under  shepherds.  Pity  the 
pastor  who  does  his  work  listlessly  or  care- 
lessly; Jesus's  test  of  love  was  "Feed  my 
sheep."  The  Master  will  call  to  account  the 
Sunday  school  teacher  or  church  worker  of 

31 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

any  sort  who  does  not  do  his  utmost  to  care 
for  the  sheep. 

He  is  a  caretaker.  We  may  so  translate 
the  word.  "Casting  all  your  care  upon  him; 
for  he  careth  for  you."  "Be  careful  for 
nothing;  but  in  everything  by  prayer  and 
supplication  with  thanksgiving  let  your  re- 
quests be  known  unto  God."  Wesley  said, 
"I  dare  no  more  worry  and  fret  than  I 
dare  curse  and  swear."  How  few  reaKze 
this!  All  sorts  of  things  make  us  anxious. 
We  carry  burdens  never  meant  for  our 
backs.  We  load  ourselves  with  responsibil- 
ities that  God  will  gladly  bear.  If  we  have 
done  our  best,  it  is  time  to  rest.  Friction 
with  folks  and  tasks  keeps  our  hearts  and 
minds  bhstered.  We  need  the  evenness  of 
poise  and  the  patience  of  trust.  All  strain- 
ing, wearing,  cankering  care  he  will  hf t  from 
us  if  we  trust  and  obey.  Let  the  Shepherd 
brush  away  wrinkles  which  prove  the  pres- 
ence of  weighty  care. 

He  knows  better  what  His  sheep  need 
than  we  do  ourselves.  He  knows  where  the 
food  is  found.    Men  once  thought  tomatoes 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

to  be  poison.  Necessity  drove  to  their  use, 
and  they  were  found  to  be  good  food.  Our 
prejudices  which  shut  us  out  of  blessings 
sometimes  must  be  similarly  broken  down. 
We  cannot  live  by  bread  alone.  Some  men 
work  so  many  hours  that  it  is  almost  impos- 
sible for  them  to  get  to  church.  Others  dis- 
count worship  periods  by  finding  time  for 
pleasure  when  they  can  find  none  for  church 
attendance.  Our  busy  life  threatens  to  drive 
out  family,  and  even  private,  prayer.  Sub- 
urbs make  early  trains  necessary  and  vari- 
ous modern  conditions  break  family  activ- 
ities into  scattered  hours  that  spoil  common 
gatherings. 

We  have  little  opportunity  to  go  apart 
in  the  mountain  to  pray;  our  brain  rooms 
are  so  full  that  there  are  seldom  any 
"closets"  into  which  we  can  vidthdraw.  We 
live  amidst  noisy  diversions  that  wreck  plans 
for  moments  of  meditation.  But  conse- 
crated devotion  to  the  Shepherd  will  lead  to 
a  way.  He  will  open  a  closet  door  some 
place  where  we  can  withdraw  to  pray.  It 
may  be  found  at  early  dawn  or  late  at  night. 

33 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

It  may  be  shut  in  some  deep  basement  or  in 
the  top  story.  It  may  be  provided  by  a  stiff- 
ened will  that  can  ignore  all  diverting  sur- 
roundings. It  may  come  from  the  help  of 
such  manna-filled  devotional  books  as  "Yet 
Another  Day,"  and  "Times  of  Retirement," 
and  "By  the  Still  Waters."  It  may  come 
from  a  summer  school  or  a  winter  revival 
meeting.  It  may  be  furnished  by  the  visit 
of  a  friend  or  joyously  caught  from  an  un- 
expected source. 

If  any  pasturage  exists,  the  Shepherd  will 
know  where  to  find  it.  No  soul  need  starve. 
Only  foolish  excuses  can  keep  us  from  the 
prepared  feast.  It  will  appeal  to  the  dull  or 
keen  appetite.  It  will  be  within  the  reach 
of  all  degrees  of  culture  and  peculiarities  of 
disposition.  There  will  be  no  excuse  for 
turning  to  the  husks  of  the  world  except 
pure  willfulness.  And  only  the  Shepherd 
can  supply  the  nourishing  foods. 

Our  materialistic  evolutionists  must  learn 
that  food  sufficient  for  animals  cannot  sus- 
tain man.  He  is  different.  For  example, 
while  the  bone  or  tissue  of  one  human  can 

34 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

be  grafted  by  a  surgeon  on  the  bone  or  tissue 
of  another  human,  the  bone  or  tissue  of  any 
other  animal  without  exception  fails  to  knit 
to  a  human  bone  or  tissue.  Man  must  have 
the  peculiar  pasture  the  Shepherd  supplies. 

We  will  be  spiritually  as  well  as  phys- 
ically fed.  The  good  will  be  clearly  marked 
out  for  us.  It  is  difficult  to  choose  the  right. 
We  make  mistakes  so  easily.  It  is  hard  to 
infallibly  tell  the  genuine.  But  his  Spirit  is 
to  guide  us  into  all  truth. 

We  will  be  guarded  against  poisonous 
food.  The  drunkard  starts  with  the  social 
wineglass.  The  gambler  begins  by  risking 
a  paltry  sum.  Frivolity  and  careless  moral 
standards  open  the  gate  to  the  downward 
road  that  brings  womanhood  to  the  outcast 
world.  He  will  preserve  the  danger  signal 
in  the  red  blush  of  shame.  We  must  have 
moral  meat  that  does  not  disease  appetite, 
break  down  vital  fibers,  nor  blur  vision. 
Alcohol  opiates  the  moral  nature  as  its  very 
first  effect;  that  is  why  the  white-slave  pro- 
curer operates  around  liquor-serving  dance 
halls  and  encourages  the  wine  table. 

35 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

The  Shepherd  is  faithful.  Thompson  in 
The  Land  and  the  Book  tells  us  that  fre- 
quently the  shepherd,  even  now,  dies  in  de- 
fense of  his  sheep.  The  hills  are  filled  with 
wolves  and  panthers.  Human  robbers  often 
kill  and  carry  the  sheep  away.  He  describes 
one  shepherd  who  died  under  the  hackings 
of  the  khan  jars  of  three  Bedouin  robbers  in 
the  midst  of  his  sheep  where  he  stood  fight- 
ing. David's  first  prowess  was  exhibited 
when  he  killed  a  marauding  lion  and  bear 
who  would  tear  his  sheep.  The  shepherds 
come  to  love  the  sheep  as  their  own  lives. 
Even  now  only  hardened  butchers  can  be  se- 
cured to  slay  lambs  to  provide  the  meat 
market's  demands.  Sheep  are  very  trustful 
and  affectionate. 

The  promise  is,  "I  will  never  leave  thee 
nor  forsake  thee."  "Lo,  I  am  with  you  al- 
way."  "Fear  not,  I  will  help  thee."  "This 
is  the  way,  walk  ye  in  it."  "Fear  not,  little 
flock ;  for  it  is  the  Father's  good  pleasure  to 
give  you  the  kingdom." 

All  the  land  was  open.  No  shepherd  had 
an  exclusive  right  to  pasture  sections.    It  de- 

36 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

pended  upon  his  wisdom  and  foresight.  So 
it  is  in  life.  Some  men  gather  only  strength 
for  the  flesh  because  they  follow  a  carnal 
leader.  Others  grow  smooth  and  puffed 
with  pride,  but  collapse  in  the  storms  of 
temptation  and  trial.  But  a  few  are  hardy 
and  sturdy  and  thrive  in  all  weathers  because 
evenly  nurtured  as  God's  sons  and  daugh- 
ters. He  shows  us  how  to  find  the  pasturage 
that  will  fit  us  to  reaUze  the  promise,  "As 
thy  days,  so  shall  thy  strength  be." 

The  promise  ''shall  not  want"  is  confi- 
dently affirmed.  Briggs  reminds  us  that  in 
the  original  this  is  the  imperfect  tense,  and 
so  is  not  a  future,  "but  a  present  of  habitual 
experience."  He  translates  it,  "I  have  no 
want."  The  Shepherd  has  provided  for  all 
wants.  Time  does  not  begin  or  end  the  sup- 
ply. The  sources  are  exhaustless.  His  pa- 
tience cannot  be  broken,  for  he  is  a  Shep- 
herd. Hence  we  are  supplied.  Plummer 
gives  the  paraphrase  of  the  Chaldee:  "They 
lacked  nothing."  Syriac  and  Arabic:  "He 
will  not  suffer  me  to  want  anything." 
Luther     says:     "I     shall    assuredly    want 

37 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

nothing.  I  shall  eat  and  drink,  and  have 
abundance  of  clothes,  food,  protection, 
peace,  and  necessaries  of  every  kind,  which 
contribute  to  the  support  of  hfe." 

The  very  first  meaning  is  a  natural  one. 
God  looks  after  our  temporal  needs.  An- 
other psalm  writer  says:  "Once  I  have  been 
young,  and  now  I  am  old;  yet  have  I  not 
seen  the  righteous  forsaken,  nor  his  seed  beg- 
ging bread."  That  is  actually  true  in  every- 
day experience.  Jesus  literally  fed  the  hun- 
gry multitude  who  had  remained  to  hear  him 
preach.  He  borrowed  a  lad's  lunch  and  mul- 
tiplied it.  The  good  Samaritan  paid  for  the 
future  keep  of  the  wounded  man  at  the  hotel. 
He  did  not  stop  by  bringing  him  there  on  his 
beast  to  be  unloaded  on  others  or  to  shift 
for  himself  before  being  able  to  do  so. 

"No  good  thing  will  he  withheld  from 
them  that  walk  uprightly f'  If  we  "seek 
first"  the  Kingdom,  all  other  things  will  be 
added.  Godliness  is  profitable  in  the  best 
sense.  It  is  exactly  true  that  food  and  rai- 
ment, and  even  needed  health,  will  be  meas- 
ured out  by  the  Shepherd.     John  prayed 

38 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

"that  thou  may  est  prosper  and  be  in  health, 
even  as  thy  soul  prospereth"  (3  John  2). 
He  can  lead  us  to  find  work  when  idle.  He 
can  give  wisdom  in  business.  He  will  direct 
in  the  government  of  a  home  and  a  nation. 
Spirituahty  is  closely  related  to  physical  con- 
ditions. God  who  clothes  the  lily  will  provide 
for  us.  His  obedient  sheep  will  never  suffer 
from  hunger.  If  .bread-bringing  ravens  are 
necessary,  they  will  be  sent. 

We  will  not  lack  strength  for  our  work. 
Food  gives  the  physical.  The  spiritual  will 
also  come.  We  will  hear  a  voice  of  sweeten- 
ing peace  giving  courage  after  the  storm. 
Despair  cannot  then  wreck  ambition  nor  a 
winning  persistency.  The  pillar  of  fire  will 
appear  in  the  night-befogging  gloom.  The 
Master's  hand  will  catch  us  when  the  suck- 
ing waves  try  to  drag  us  down.  We  will 
have  patience  and  power  enough  to  do  our 
work  and  gather  fruit  in  joy  fulness.  We 
shall  be  satisfied.  It  will  be  literal  and  natu- 
ral, not  mystical  and  airy.  We  will  have 
food  and  raiment,  thought  life,  and  worthy 
tasks. 

39 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

We  are  to  aid  in  providing  supplies. 
Wolves  in  sheep's  clothing  get  a  hving  out  of 
the  church ;  they  add  nothing  to  it.  Church 
tramps  soon  lose  the  spirit  of  disciples. 
They  want  fine  sermons,  good  music,  and 
courteous  treatment.  They  reverse  Jesus's 
life  motto.  They  come  to  be  served — ^not 
to  serve.  It  is  not  to  be  wondered  at  that 
soon  they  backslide,  or,  worse  still,  become 
carping  and  critical  Pharisees.  We  are 
healthy  only  when  we  aid  the  Shepherd  in 
furnishing  food  to  folk. 

Some  yeasty  desires  may  be  unsatisfied. 
The  Shepherd  is  feeding  us  for  growth  and 
usefulness;  many  imagined  needs  go  unsup- 
phed.  Children  cry  for  cakes  when  they 
need  food.  He  is  a  Father  and  wants  his 
sons  to  grow  up  worthy  of  Him.  Suffering 
sweetens  hearts  as  frost  does  some  fruits. 
Storms  fiber  the  moral  life  as  winds  do 
Maine-coast  oaks.  Disappointment  in  mate- 
rial things  whets  the  appetite  for  spiritual 
things  as  frosty  winds  do  the  stomach  hun- 
ger. We  will  have  "every  good  cross,  every 
good  comfort,  every  needed  chastisement, 

40 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

every  needed  supply,  all  timely  lessons,  all 
good  deliverances." 

We  are  not  to  be  raised  up  invalids,  but 
good  soldiers.  We  are  to  have  our  best 
brought  out  by  carrying  crosses,  otherwise 
we  could  not  worthily  show  His  likeness. 
We  are  to  prove  ourselves  rulers  over  self, 
not  pampered  babies  of  favoritism.  We  are 
to  endure,  not  be  banished  in  a  day  like 
Jonah's  gourd.  The  schooling,  the  disci- 
pline, the  sifting  will  all  come.  But  we  will 
come  off  more  than  conquerors.  His  grace 
is  sufficient.  We  can  do  all  things  through 
Christ  who  strengtheneth  us. 

The  Christian  Scientist  almost  without 
exception  takes  up  this  ill-founded  "ism" 
when  in  a  backslidden  state  where  he  can- 
not distinguish  the  voice  of  the  true  and 
false.  No  soul  in  vital  and  intimate  fellow- 
ship has  yet  been  led  into  these  artificial  and 
delusive  pastures.  If  the  "Scientist"  was 
once  a  Christian,  then  he  adopted  the  "ism" 
while  soured  over  imagined  ill  treatment  or 
after  neglect  of  church  attendance  and 
prayer,  or  following  days  or  months  of  ad- 

41 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

mitted  and  willful  sinning.  "Not  every  one 
that  saith  unto  me,  Lord,  Lord,  shall  enter 
the  kingdom  of  heaven." 

The  basis  for  all  our  assurance  is  the  char- 
acter of  the  Shepherd,  This  we  may  even 
learn  from  the  Old  Testament.  How  pa- 
tiently he  led  rebellious,  doubting  Israel 
through  all  the  checkered  days  even  up  to  the 
victories  of  David's  time  and  the  glory  of 
Solomon!  He  took  them  across  the  wilder- 
ness through  forty  long  years,  keeping  them 
there  until  they  were  fitted  and  capable  of 
entering  the  promised  land.  Jesus  carefully 
trained  the  "slow  of  heart"  disciples  for  his 
kingdom's  work,  and  never  despaired  even 
when  they  utterly  forsook  him.  The  long- 
suffering  Father  has  been  with  the  Christian 
Church  through  the  centuries,  with  its  heath- 
enish imitations,  its  backslidings,  its  pride 
and  coldness,  its  disobedience  and  blindness. 
He  has  been  so  tender  with  the  unpromising 
material  we  have  presented  him.  Like  a 
mother  he  has  waited  upon  and  nourished 
our  slow  love  and  small  gratitude  into  cling- 
ing faith  and  urgent  obedience.    He  it  is  who 

42 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

loves  us  and  broods  over  us,  forgives  us  and 
cleanses  us,  smiles  upon  us  and  forgets  our 
doublings.  This  is  our  Shepherd.  How  can 
we  want  any  good  thing?  Let  us  smile  and 
soothe  our  hearts  under  sweet  memories  as 
we  say,  "The  Lord  is  my  shepherd;  I  shall 
not  want." 

When  Edward  III  of  England  defeated 
Philip  of  France,  the  Black  Prince,  Ed- 
ward's son,  sent  for  reenforcements.  The 
king  was  located  on  a  point  where  he  could 
see  the  field  and  the  forces  and  sent  back 
word,  "Tell  my  son,  the  Black  Prince,  that  I 
am  too  good  a  general  not  to  know  when  he 
needs  help,  and  too  kind  a  father  not  to  send 
it  when  I  see  the  need  of  it."  Thus  reas- 
sured, the  prince  went  confidently  into  the 
fight,  and  won  it  having  put  on  his  crest  the 
words  "I  serve,"  words  which  are  on  the 
Prince  of  Wales's  escutcheon  to  this  day. 
These  words  carry  to  us  God's  attitude.  His 
mercy  will  not  let  us  be  overpressed  by  en- 
emies, and  his  goodness  will  send  help  when 
we  need  it. 


43 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 


CHAPTER  II 

APPETIZING  FOOD  FOR  THE 
SOUL 

"  He  maketh  me  to  lie  down  in  green  pastures  " 

The  five  thousand  fed  by  Jesus  before  be- 
ing served  were  seated  in  small  social  groups. 
They  were  then  ministered  to  individually. 
God  speaks  to  individuals,  not  to  crowds. 
His  appeals  and  exhortations  are  personal. 
Israel  imagined  that  blessings  were  un- 
changeably assured  to  that  nation,  but  the 
sin  of  individuals  short-circuited  the  power. 
Bible  promises  use  the  distinctive  pronouns. 
It  is  not  possible  for  them  to  miss  their  aim. 

Gospel  milk  is  soured  in  unclean  vessels, 
and  so  God  will  put  it  only  into  vessels 
"sanctified  and  meet"  for  the  Master's  use. 
The  foolish  parent  permits  the  untrained 
child  to  handle  money  whose  value  he  does 
not  comprehend.  The  Kingdom's  currency 
is  never  given  to  spendthrifts.    The  Father 

44 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

must  be  assured  that  experience  and  felt  re- 
sponsibility will  direct  its  expenditure.  The 
State  laws  guard  carefully  the  privilege  of 
medical  practice.  Diplomas  are  closely 
scrutinized  and  the  standing  of  the  issuing 
school  is  examined.  Wrong  prescriptions 
and  unwise  or  unskillful  surgical  operations 
have  caused  numerous  deaths.  The  Great 
Physician  has  many  disciples  and  healing 
helpers.  He  is  very  careful  in  requiring 
training  and  testings  before  he  issues  a  di- 
ploma that  permits  us  to  be  successful  prac- 
titioners. Many  souls  have  shriveled  and 
many  careers  have  been  blasted  through  the 
bungling  work  of  quack  religionists. 

God  gives  the  power  when  heart  and  head 
culture  insures  proper  use,  Simon  the  sor- 
cerer was  willing  to  pay  money  for  the  abil- 
ity to  bestow  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 
People  may  bolster  up  their  independence 
and  so  ignore  God  by  gloating  over  their 
goodness.  The  world  must  be  taught  that 
Christ  alone  gives  ideals,  inspiration,  and 
strength  sufficient  for  righteous  victories. 
Selfishly  directed  efforts  must  sometimes  fail 

45 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

in  order  to  teach  people  a  helplessness  that 
looks  for  instruction;  the  meekness  that  in- 
herits the  earth.  Hard  knocks  alone  impress 
most  of  us.  Know-it-all  folk  must  come  to 
the  end  of  their  string.  Big  heads  resume 
normal  size  when  bumped  against  obstacles. 
After  the  child  tumbles  into  the  mud  he  is 
usually  willing  for  the  father  to  hold  his 
hand.  God  is  compelled  to  permit  many 
things  to  befall  us  before  we  learn  obedience. 
Every  life  is  prepared  for  an  exact  plan. 
Each  of  us  may  see  a  pattern  in  the  mount  if 
we  will  stay  there  alone  with  God.  No  one 
else  can  do  our  earth-day  task.  We  cannot 
be  satisfied  and  happy  out  of  it.  We  must 
be  built  up  and  led  if  we  fill  it  full.  Hence 
God's  directions  are  personal  and  specific. 
"The  Lord  is  my  Shepherd ;  I  shall  not  want. 
He  maketh  me  to  lie  down  in  green  pas- 
tures ;  he  leadeth  me  beside  the  still  waters." 
He  maketh  "all  grace  abound  toward  you; 
that  YE,  always  having  all  sufficiency  in  all 
things,  may  abound  to  every  good  work"  (2 
Cor.  9.  8).  "My  grace  is  sufficient  for 
thee"  was  the  answer  that  came  to  Paul's 

46 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

special  plea.  "Have  not  I  commanded  thee 
be  strong  and  of  good  courage;  be  not  afraid, 
neither  be  thou  dismayed :  for  the  Lord  thy 
God  is  with  thee  whithersoever  thou  goest" 
(Josh.  1.  9)  was  the  assurance  given  to 
Joshua  when  he  took  up  Moses's  uncom- 
pleted task. 

The  personal  tone  explains  the  comforting 
power  of  this  sweet  song  of  assurance  called 
"The  Shepherd  Psahn."  It  appeals  to  my 
heart  and  yours.  It  brings  peace  in  the 
noontide  glare  and  amid  midnight  dark- 
ness. It  calls  out  cheerily  to  the  lonely,  it 
whispers  to  the  perplexed  in  the  "madding 
crowd."  It  points  the  way  to  green  pastures 
in  times  of  adversity  and  recalls  one  to  lie 
down  for  quiet  meditation  in  the  hour  of 
abundant  prosperity.  It  touches  every  real 
need  of  life.  It  is  the  Master's  message  to 
you  and  to  me. 

The  different  translations  suggested  by 
Plimimer  of  "He  maketh  me  to  lie  down  in 
green  pastures"  are  very  interesting.  Some 
of  them  are  literal  and  some  are  a  mere  inter- 
pretation.    Chaldee:   "In  a  dry  place  he 

47 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

makes  me  to  rest  in  the  pleasantness  of 
grass."  Vulgate,  Ethiopia,  and  Douai:  "He 
hath  set  me  in  a  place  of  pasture."  Syriac: 
"Upon  the  pastures  of  strength  he  shall 
make  me  to  dwell."  Church  of  England: 
"He  shall  feed  me  in  a  green  pasture." 
Street:  "In  pleasant  places  full  of  grass  he 
maketh  me  repose."  Briggs  translates  it, 
"In  grassy  pastures  he  maketh  me  lie  down." 
Cheyne  puts  it,  "In  pastures  of  young  grass 
he  couches  me." 

Perowne  suggests  that  the  Hebrew  word 
translated  "pastures"  is  sometimes  ren- 
dered "habitations"  from  a  root  "to  sit, 
to  rest."  Clarke  phrases  it:  "cottages  of 
turf  or  sod,"  such  as  the  shepherds  had  in 
open  champaign  countries;  places  in  which 
themselves  could  repose  safely;  and  pens 
thus  constructed  where  the  flock  might  be 
safe  all  the  night.  They  were  inclosures 
where  they  had  grass  or  provender  to  eat. 
The  majority  agree  with  Whedon  that  the 
clause  refers  to  the  tall  and  luscious  grass 
plots  to  which  the  shepherd  led  his  flocks  at 
the  enervating  time  of  midday  heat. 

48 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

Spurgeon  reminds  us  aptly  that  *'He 
maketh  me  to  lie  down  in  green  pastures"  is 
contemplative,  while  "He  leadeth  me  beside 
the  still  waters"  is  active.  The  two  must 
always  go  together.  Mary  needed  a  little  of 
Martha's  habits  and  Martha  needed  a  little 
of  Mary's  repose. 

Delitzsch  says  that  "pastures"  refers  to 
"the  pastures  of  fresh  and  tender  grass." 
Briggs  asserts  that  it  is  the  pastures  "where 
the  tender  grass,  the  young  herbage,  was 
abundant."  It  was  appetizing  and  satisfy- 
ing. 

The  "I  shall  not  want"  emphasizes  the 
general  demands,  while  the  "green  grass" 
brings  us  more  specifically  into  the  realm  of 
the  spiritual.  Rehgion  can  neither  be  com- 
prehended by  nor  made  attractive  to  a  hun- 
gry man.  The  Earl  of  Shaftesbury  gath- 
ered derelicts  during  the  night  hours  under 
London  Bridge,  conducted  them  to  a  mission 
he  supported,  had  them  bathed,  fed,  and  put 
in  a  good  clean  bed,  and  then  met  them  in 
the  morning  with  the  gospel.  Everywhere 
the  church  and  affiliated  organizations  are  in- 

49 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

creasingly  caring  for  men's  bodies.  God's 
promises  touch  all  of  om-  needs.  But  it  is 
equally  true  that  the  man  who  sanely  cares 
for  his  soul  will  never  have  a  hungry  body 
for  a  very  long  period. 

We  cannot  follow  the  leading  unless  we 
have  strength  to  walk  or  run,  "But  they 
that  wait  upon  the  Lord  shall  renew  their 
strength ;  they  shall  mount  up  with  wings  as 
eagles ;  they  shall  run,  and  not  be  weary ;  and 
they  shall  walk,  and  not  faint"  (Isa.  40.  31) . 
The  sheep  needed  this  noontide  repose  if 
strength  remained  for  the  afternoon  path- 
way. So  we  need  spiritual  food  if  we  walk 
our  daily  ways.  Our  lone  strength  is  not 
sufficient. 

We  are  prone  to  become  cynical  and  cold. 
We  fail  to  be  brotherly  and  brightly  opti- 
mistic. We  eat  doubts  and  morally  poisoned 
food  and  so  are  weak  and  sickly.  The  Shep- 
herd must  lead  us  to  the  tasteful,  satisfying, 
and  strength-giving  pastures  if  such  things 
do  not  upset  us. 

The  pastures  are  green.  After  visiting 
Ireland  one  readily  understands  why  it  is 

60 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

called  the  "Emerald  Isle."  The  very  green 
enlivens.  Possibly  the  steady  salt  spray 
makes  it  so.  Sheep  thrive  best  on  herbage 
strong  with  the  brine  of  the  sea.  It  is  appe- 
tizing. Palestine  doubtless  had  the  same  aid. 
The  very  outward  form  helps  create  a  desire 
for  it.  Informed  dietitians  assert  that  at- 
tractive surroundings  and  table  arrange- 
ment improve  appetite  and  aid  in  curing  in- 
digestion. Flowers,  tasty  linen,  artistically 
placed  table  furnishings,  temptingly  pre- 
pared dishes  awaken  a  desire  for  food  and 
start  the  flow  of  the  digestive  fluid  until  the 
stomach  gets  ready  to  assimilate  that  fur- 
nished to  it.  Spiritual  things  should  be  taste- 
fully presented.  The  minister  should  avoid 
a  coarse  voice,  untasty  dress,  and  a  boorish 
bearing.  A  dull  and  deadening  church 
atmosphere,  because  of  poor  ventilation, 
should  never  be  permitted.  Only  the  bright- 
est and  best  can  claim  to  be  God's  pasture. 

Men  frequently  claim  that  they  were  com- 
pelled to  go  to  church  so  much  while  young 
that  they  got  sick  of  it.  It  is  possible  to  tire 
one  of  eggs,  the  most  nutritious  food,  by  al- 

51 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

ways  preparing  them  in  the  same  way.  If 
varied  in  form,  as  in  an  omelet  or  scrambled, 
fried  or  boiled,  they  can  be  eaten  all  year. 
Religion  must  be  varied  in  its  forms.  Stupid 
sameness  and  routine  reasonless  rituals  tend 
to  nauseate.  Religion  must  be  appetizing. 
If  we  are  real  under  shepherds  we  will  see  to 
it  that  the  pastures  are  bright  with  the  green 
of  fresh  and  varied  life.  If  we  follow  the 
Shepherd,  he  will  lead  us  to  that  kind. 
Sleepy,  somber,  stiff,  snapless  services  have 
little  saving  and  satisfying  power. 

The  grass  was  nutritive.  It  was  not  only 
green  but  it  had  food  strength  in  it.  Ritual- 
istic methods  are  not  God-approved  unless 
they  contain  food  properties.  If  men  find 
no  vision  of  good,  no  condemnation  of  bad, 
no  meat  for  the  soul  that  furnishes  them  to 
walk  honest  paths,  then  beautiful  services 
and  costly  buildings  are  a  mockery.  We 
must  have  not  only  the  form  but  also  the 
power  of  godliness.  Fine  choirs,  "great" 
preachers,  cathedral-hke  surroundings  ought 
to  be  big  helps,  but  they  are  not  sufficient 
of  themselves.     The  Pharisees  had  all  of 

52 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

these  things,  but  yet  they  were  "hypo- 
crites" because  they  did  not  give  the  chil- 
dren bread. 

There  will  be  plenty  of  grass  for  all. 
Some  people  are  afraid  to  send  the  gospel 
abroad  for  fear  we  will  run  short  on  the  sup- 
ply at  home.  Note  the  promises:  "Give  and 
it  shall  be  given,"  "The  hberal  soul  shall  be 
made  fat."  The  close-fisted  and  cramped 
in  view  do  not  find  the  green  pastures.  They 
nibble  on  the  worn-out  fields.  Their  output 
of  testimony  and  service  is  stale. 

Dodgers  excuse  sin  by  claiming  that  it  is 
impossible  for  them  to  live  a  clean  and  up- 
right hfe.  That  charge  assails  both  the 
goodness  and  the  greatness  of  the  Shepherd. 
He  assures  us  our  "portion  of  meat  in  due 
season"  Luke  12.  42).  No  scorching  heat 
of  time  or  trial  can  shrivel  and  sap  this  pas- 
ture. No  day  is  too  torrid  to  wither  its 
freshness  and  strength.  It  will  afford  true 
rest  and  sustenance  in  times  of  sorest  temp- 
tations. It  will  supply  all  needs  now  and 
fit  for  the  next  testing  time. 

The  city  soil  which  produces  grass  creates 

53 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

it  out  of  deadly  elements.  The  crowded 
dwellers  are  saved  from  ill  health  by  patches 
of  green,  which  green  is  made  by  the  absorp- 
tion of  the  burnt  and  poisonous  gases  of  the 
human  body  which  is  cast  off  into  the  air. 
So  God  can  use  things  which  would  other- 
wise destroy  to  feed  and  build  us  up.  A  loss 
might  embitter,  but  with  him  as  teacher  we 
learn  life's  real  values.  An  extra  burden 
might  crush  and  break  our  spirits,  but  he 
leads  us  through  Gethsemane  and  over  Cal- 
vary's top  to  Mount  Pisgah's  ascension. 
Sorrow  might  sour  us,  but  his  touch  of  sym- 
pathy turns  it  into  a  sweetener  of  our  souls 
so  that  we  become  a  blessing  to  others. 

Green  pastures  in  our  own  hearts  are  not- 
able and  give  hope  to  others  in  arid  places. 
People  are  bound  to  recognize  souls  verdant 
with  cheer;  such  lives  are  as  attractive  and 
necessary  as  are  oases  in  the  desert. 

Our  own  lives  must  have  the  healthiness 
which  God's  supplies  alone  can  give  if  we 
are  able  to  throw  off  the  diseases  that  attack 
our  moral  nature,  for  sin  assails  our  souls  as 
tubercular  germs  do  the  lungs.    God's  pas- 

54 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

tures  furnish  this  health;  they  cool  and 
cleanse,  as  does  the  tall  and  luscious  grass  for 
the  sheep,  by  color  and  nourishment. 

Men  talk  about  worshiping  God  while 
touring  or  hiking  in  the  country.  They  hon- 
estly expect  to  do  so,  but  usually  they  go  no 
farther  than  the  flower,  the  tree  or  the  game 
they  play,  and  return  with  little  besides 
physical  recreation.  They  trace  no  marks  of 
God.  When,  however,  men  cultivate  the 
consciousness  of  God's  presence,  they  find 
pasturage  for  the  soul  everywhere  they  walk. 
It  may  be  along  the  country  road  with  sing- 
ing birds  and  fragrant  fields.  It  may  be 
climbing  scraggy  mountains.  It  may  be 
struggling  with  daily  business  cares  in  the 
cramped  office. 

Ordinary  experiences  can  uncover  truths. 
A  little  child  may  cause  us  to  recollect  that 
Jesus  said,  "Of  such  is  the  kingdom  of 
heaven,"  and  so  we  will  grow  meek  and 
teachful  and  rest  on  the  everlasting  arms 
which  are  "underneath."  The  toiling  car- 
penter may  bring  back  memories  of  our 
Master,  who  worked  at  the  bench.  The  roll- 

55 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

ing  sea  may  repicture  the  command  that 
checked  the  storm  so  fraught  with  terror  to 
the  disciples. 

If  we  find  our  spiritual  zest  gone,  we  will 
be  eagerly  anxious  to  walk  with  him  and  so 
develop  an  appetite.  The  journey  may  be 
along  a  country  road  with  pilgrims  headed 
toward  another  Emmaus.  But  if  we  talk 
about  the  Book  and  make  vivid  the  promises, 
we  will  find  that  breaking  bread  at  the  table 
with  us  is  the  Shepherd  himself  even  as  in 
the  old  days  with  the  disciples.  He  still  em- 
ploys normal  means  to  make  himself  known 
as  in  our  midst. 

It  will  be  well,  however,  for  us  to  recall  the 
locahties  where  we  found  pasturage  in  the 
past.  How,  then,  can  we  miss  the  church 
service,  private  devotion,  and  definite  Chris- 
tian tasks?  If  we  have  lost  our  touch  with 
him,  we  can  find  it  again  just  where  we 
parted  company. 

We  cannot  walk  with  him  without  find- 
ing green  pastures.  They  will  be  unfailing 
in  supply.  Some  kind  will  be  ready  at  every 
hour  of  need.     The  grass  may  be  hidden 

56 


\ 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

among  the  rocks  in  the  rough  fields,  but  it 
will  still  be  there.  It  may  seem  to  be  held 
back  for  a  time,  but  the  relish  will  increase, 
and  gratitude  will  enable  us  to  appropriate 
it  when  it  is  found.  He  that  keepeth  Israel 
neither  slumbers  nor  sleeps. 

A  good  Shepherd  finds  choice  pasture 
early  in  the  moi^ning.  The  sheep's  appetite 
is  then  keen  and  it  can  lay  up  strength  for 
the  day.  Scientists  inform  us  that  one  se- 
cures half  of  his  total  knowledge  by  the  time 
he  is  seven  years  old.  Is  it  any  wonder  that 
the  alert  parent  and  the  church  lead  the 
child  to  Christ's  pasture  in  the  morning  of 
life?  If  the  appetite  is  early  habituated  to 
demand  the  "green  pastures,"  he  will  never 
be  satisfied  with  husks,  even  though  he  wan- 
ders away  for  a  time.  Jesus  took  the  chil- 
dren in  his  arms  when  important  business 
had  to  be  postponed  to  do  it.  No  under 
shepherd  is  greater  than  his  Lord,  and  there- 
fore dare  not  neglect  the  young.  Jesus  also 
went  into  the  mountain  a  great  while  before 
day  to  pray.  F.  B.  Meyer  made  it  his  long- 
time practice  never  to  leave  his  bedroom  un- 

57 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

til  freshly  realizing  the  fact  that  Christ  dwelt 
within  him. 

Create  the  right  religious  estimates  in 
youth.  Cultivate  spiritual  insight,  as  the 
musician  does  the  ear  for  harmony  or  the 
artist  the  eye  for  beauty  and  symmetry.  In 
his  youth,  Ruskin's  parents  would  allow  him 
to  see  or  hear  no  ugly  thing  if  they  could 
avoid  it.  Do  not  permit  strength  to  be  ut- 
terly sapped  out  by  days  of  waywardness 
and  sin  before  high  spiritual  tastes  are  de- 
veloped. Much  of  character  must  then  be 
torn  down  before  it  can  be  rebuilt  solidly. 

We  need  never  sit  helplessly  under  a  ju- 
niper tree.  We  must  not  be  bled  out  by  the 
blues.  A  noted  Harvard  professor,  broken 
with  nervous  prostration,  came  to  Dr.  Wor- 
cester in  his  healing  work  in  Boston  and  said, 
"If  you  can  convince  me  that  God  is  my 
Father,  I  will  be  a  well  man,  for  I  can  then 
rest  back  on  him  and  the  strain  and  wear  will 
cease."  So  we  must  know  that  the  loving 
God  never  fails  or  forgets. 

The  test  of  real  food  is  in  its  sustaining 
power.    False  doctrines  give  little  comfort 

58 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

in  hours  of  heavy  loss  and  blinding  tears. 
An  old  friend  left  the  vital  Christian  Church 
to  become  a  Christian  Scientist.  Later, 
amid  the  deep  agony  of  a  staggering  sor- 
row, she  cried  out  hopelessly  through  the 
avenue  of  her  new  "system,"  but  found  no 
answering  help  in  "Mind"  and  "Love."  She 
needed  the  Father's  arms  of  comfort. 

The  prodigal  soon  became  like  the  swine 
in  his  tastes,  and  hence  was  satisfied  with  any- 
thing that  "filled  his  belly."  Swine  represent 
the  lowest  form  of  a  total  animal  nature. 
They  are  poisoned  by  only  one  weed  and  can 
be  nourished  by  almost  every  kind  of  food. 
They  grunt  and  sleep  when  full  of  food. 
But  the  real  man  cannot  live  by  bread  alone, 
but  also  requires  "every  word  that  pro- 
ceedeth  out  of  the  mouth  of  God."  The 
Jews  expelled  by  the  Russians  endeavored 
to  save  themselves  from  starvation  by  grind- 
ing up  weeds  and  mixing  them  with  clay. 
Appetite  ceased  to  gnaw  and  grip,  but  no 
strength  was  in  this  mixture,  and  the  people 
died.  So  is  it  with  man's  best  self  if  he  use 
substitutes  for  God's  food. 

59 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

As  grass  is  healthy  for  the  sheep  so  are 
God's  provisions  for  his  folk.  If  he  pro- 
vides what  sheep  need,  how  much  more  will 
he  provide  what  human  souls  require? 
There  will  be  plenty  for  all ;  the  supply  will 
not  run  out.  We  will  not  be  strained  and 
unnatural  in  searching  for  rehgious  sus- 
tenance. We  must  allow  God  to  speak  in 
the  day's  ordinary  events.  He  is  in  his 
world,  and  if  we  retain  our  simplicity,  we 
will  be  fully  supplied. 

An  old  vizier,  once,  like  David,  a  tender  of 
sheep,  kept  in  his  palace  a  room  furnished 
like  an  old  shepherd's  fold  and  resorted 
thither  frequently  to  revive  his  youth  and 
make  teachable  his  nature.  The  famous 
Southerner  Mr.  Brady  once  suddenly  left 
heavy  duties  and  returned  to  his  boyhood 
home.  He  "said"  his  prayer  at  his  mother's 
knee  as  in  childhood  days,  and  then  she  put 
him  to  bed  and  tucked  him  in  with  a  good- 
night kiss.  He  asked  her  to  do  this  so  that 
he  might  be  reattuned  to  life.  After  two 
days  thus  spent  in  the  atmosphere  of  child- 
hood and  its  rehgion,  he  went  back  to  his 

60 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

tasks  fresh  and  new  and  knowing  how  to  ap- 
propriate God  in  the  everyday  affairs. 

''He  maketh  me  to  lie  down"  is  both  a 
promise  and  a  command,  Jesus  needed  this 
kind  of  help;  when  the  sore  temptations  of 
the  wilderness  ended,  angels  came  and  min- 
istered to  him.  Earth  rests  its  trees  and 
green  life  through  winter's  period.  If  we 
do  not  "lie  down,"  we  will  wear  out  and 
break  down  spiritually.  We  will  faint  during 
hard  days  or  fail  to  successfully  meet  life's 
opportunities.  Men  who  eat  while  weary 
frequently  bring  on  indigestion.  We  may 
need  ofttimes  to  lie  down  in  the  pasture  for 
composure  and  confidence,  before  eating  that 
which  will  refresh  us.  We  can  never  think 
our  way  through  many  of  life's  problems 
without  the  secluded  spots  where  nothing 
else  pulls  at  our  attention.  We  need  to  re- 
attune  ourselves  so  that  we  may  be  certain 
no  foreign  matter  is  diverting  God's  mes- 
sage and  that  we  are  seeking  his  glory. 

We  will  literally  have  times  of  hearten- 
ing cheer  when  we  can  sit  or  lie  in  reviving 
ease   or  be   thrilled  by   happy   friends   or 

61 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

thoughts.  It  may  be  at  home  amid  loved 
ones  on  a  comfortable  winter  evening.  It 
may  be  in  a  company  of  congenial  associates. 
It  may  be  in  a  room  fenced  in  with  valued 
books  and  the  framed  photographs  of  inspir- 
ing heroes,  with  a  loved  author  to  read 
undisturbed.  It  may  be  in  a  prayer  meeting 
that  peculiarly  saturates  the  whole  being 
with  peace  and  sweetness.  It  will  be  some 
place  where  the  soul  will  be  soothed  by  the 
"joy  of  the  Lord." 

One  summer,  while  as  a  student  in  charge 
of  the  buildings  of  Boston  University  School 
of  Theology,  the  telephone  bell  rang  at  8 
A.  M.  As  soon  as  I  rushed  down  and  an- 
swered "Hello,"  it  was  shut  off.  In  exas- 
peration I  called  the  general  manager  to 
know  why  I  was  thus  regularly  troubled. 
He  answered,  "We  test  the  wires  every 
morning,  to  be  sure  that  they  are  in  good 
order  to  carry  a  message  if  they  are  needed 
for  that  purpose."  So  we  must  test  to  see 
that  our  heart  lines  are  open  to  the  directing 
voice  of  the  Good  Shepherd. 

We  are  in  absolute  security  when  he  mak- 

62 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

eth  us  to  "lie  down/'  Dr.  Watkinson  tells 
us  that  during  May  in  France  the  fields  are 
covered  with  lilies  of  the  valley.  They  so 
scent  the  air  that  hounds  tracking  the  deer 
are  so  diverted  by  the  fragrance  that  they 
lose  the  trail.  And  thus  the  deer,  hard 
driven  through  the  long  winter  and  early 
spring,  find  rest  from  weariness  and  a  place 
to  build  strength  for  the  summer  strain, 
while  guarded  by  God's  carpeting  lilies. 

We  will  be  forewarned  against  quacks, 
fanatics,  wild  prophets  and  promisers,  who 
may  lead  us  to  artificial  fields.  They  have 
wrought  ruin  everywhere.  Teachers  who 
have  insisted  on  a  "second  blessing"  which 
would  take  away  all  power  to  sin  have  so  mis- 
led some  that  in  utter  discouragement  they 
gave  up  discipleship. 

Many  who  went  to  church  in  boyhood  and 
early  youth  were  nauseated  by  dogmas  an- 
nounced as  to  be  unquestioned  even  though 
they  could  not  be  rationally  established. 
But  this  Good  Shepherd  gladdens  us  with 
"a  reason,"  and  the  food  becomes  appeal- 
ingly  desirable.     Churchgoing  need  be  no 

63 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

more  of  an  empty  duty  than  his  entrance 
into  green  pastures  is  a  burden  to  the 
sheep.  The  sheep  will  never  lie  down  until 
well  fed  and  satisfied.  We  too  will  find 
no  peace  to  the  soul  until  we  are  satisfied 
by  God. 

It  may  be  necessary  to  make  us  lie  down 
in  green  pastures.  We  are  so  constantly 
dominated  by  other  things  that  we  forget  the 
necessity  of  and  the  nourishment  which 
comes  from  fellowship  with  Christ.  The 
Shepherd  must  sometimes  compel  the  sheep 
to  listen.  Paul  would  never  have  written 
Philippians  had  he  not  lain  in  prison  expect- 
ing early  martyrdom  under  cruel  Nero,  and 
there  found  time  for  visions.  Bunyan  would 
have  preached  only  to  small  groups  here  and 
there  had  he  not  been  imprisoned  for  the  doc- 
trine he  proclaimed  until  leisure  and  expe- 
rience made  Pilgrim's  Progress  possible.  A 
dear,  sweet  girl,  told  of  by  Dr.  J.  R.  Miller, 
said,  "I  found  green  jpastures  in  the  little 
white  bed  of  the  hospital."  Sickness,  loss, 
lonehness  may  often  cause  us  to  lie  down  in 
green  pastures  where  we  will  find  nourish- 

64 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

ment  otherwise  either  undiscovered  or  neg- 
lected. 

He  will  enable  us  to  find  pasturage  when 
other  eyes  miss  it.  Only  Moses  saw  that  the 
bush  was  aflame  with  God.  Only  Mary 
heard  in  the  voice  of  the  "gardener"  the  per- 
sonality of  her  Lord.  Only  Thomas  felt  in 
the  "wounds"  the  power  of  the  Resurrected 
One.  How  sad  it  is  to  see  people  all  about 
us  who  miss  the  green  pastures  into  which  the 
Shepherd  would  lead  them ! 

We  can  always  use  the  benefits  received 
to  bring  blessings  to  others.  A  wonderful 
artist  entertained  in  a  home  was  unable  to 
pay  money  to  his  host  and  desired  to  leave 
behind  him  a  token  of  appreciation.  Find- 
ing nothing  to  use  as  a  "canvas"  for  a  paint- 
ing, he  stretched  a  sheet  from  the  bed  to  the 
wall  and  reproduced  on  it  one  of  the  notable 
pictures  of  history. 

Delitzsch  says  that  the  "green  grass  prom- 
ises ease,  rest,  enjoyment."  The  "White 
Comrade"  gives  the  story  of  the  brother  who 
returned  home  healed  but  disfigured.  He 
had  been  wounded  in  battle,  and  his  sister 

65 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

was  cheered  when  she  heard  that  he  was  re- 
covering. They  had  grown  up  together  as 
chums.  He  had  graduated  with  honor  from 
Oxford  and  had  then  enhsted.  When,  how- 
ever, word  came  that  his  leg  had  been  ampu- 
tated, the  sister's  heart  was  broken,  and  she 
was  akaost  ready  to  cry  out,  "O,  if  he  had 
only  died!"  She  met  him  at  the  train  as  he 
was  returning,  and  after  a  severe  struggle 
could  not  longer  hold  back  the  rebellious 
tears.  He  comforted  her  by  saying:  "Sister, 
do  not  sorrow  over  the  loss  of  the  leg.  I  have 
really  not  lost  anything."  She  looked  at  him 
in  a  new  way  and  found  that  though  his  face 
was  drawn  and  emaciated,  there  was  a  per- 
sonality there  she  had  not  before  noticed. 
She  asked  how  it  came,  and  he  answered: 
*'Do  not  ask  me,  now."  In  the  old  "den"  at 
home  he  told  her. 

"One  night,  after  a  day  of  suffering  and 
complaint,  a  man  walked  in  the  hospital 
door.  My  attention  was  attracted  and  I 
thought  he  was  a  new  doctor.  But  he  walked 
calmly  over  to  my  bed  and  I  noticed  that  he 
was  all  in  white.    In  a  voice  sweetly  natural 

66 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

with  interest  and  with  a  hand  rare  with 
gentle  sympathy  he  touched  my  brow  and 
said,  'My  brother,  won't  you  let  me  help  you 
bear  this  burden?'  I  looked  up  into  his  com- 
manding eyes,  and  suddenly  all  the  burden 
and  distress  and  complaint  left  me,  and 
I  knew  that  it  then  mattered  no  longer 
whether  I  had  two  legs  or  not.  My  burden 
was  hfted.  I  then  saw  that  it  was  the  White 
Comrade  about  whom  other  comrades  had 
told  me." 

And  so  the  Good  Shepherd  came  to  him 
in  his  dire  weakness  with  the  needed  ease. 


67 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 


CHAPTER  III 

REFRESHMENT  AMID  LIFE'S 
BEWILDERMENTS 

**  He  leadeth  me  beside  the  still  waters  " 

Sandow,  the  noted  strong  man,  laughed 
with  derision  and  quickly  accepted  a  wager 
that  he  could  endure  to  have  one  pint  of 
water  poured  on  his  hand  drop  by  drop.  At 
the  fortieth  drop  he  still  smiled,  at  the  fiftieth 
drop  cringed,  at  the  sixtieth  he  wrinkled  his 
brow,  at  the  seventieth  the  skin  broke,  and  at 
the  eightieth  he  gave  up  the  wager.  We  can- 
not stand  the  persistent  wear  of  little  things. 

When  Dr.  Jowett  first  came  to  New 
York,  he  remarked  that  in  this  city  every- 
body looked  strangely  weary  and  worn  and 
few  smiled.  Amid  a  city's  noise  and  crowd- 
ing hurry  there  does  come  a  tenseness  requir- 
ing a  still  hour  for  rebuilding  the  spirit.  Our 
modern  day  brings  this  keyed-up  state  into 
most  regions. 

68 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

A  quiet  mind  rests  the  body  even  when  the 
eyes  refuse  to  sleep,  God's  peace  is  better 
than  any  opiate.  The  Shepherd's  care  will 
banish  all  torturing  specters.  Jesus  went  to 
prepare  a  mansion  for  us,  but  he  left  his 
peace  for  our  heart's  ease.  Every  life  led 
by  our  Lord  will  have  its  needed  rest  times. 

Sleeplessness  is  misery  beyond  descrip- 
tion. The  brain  works  and  burns  until  at 
times  balance  is  lost.  The  nerves  ache  and 
throb  while  the  town  clock  strikes  off  hour 
after  hour.  The  dawn  comes  to  smarting 
eyes  and  lead-heavy  limbs  and  deadened 
mind.  "He  giveth  his  beloved  sleep."  His 
soothing  brings  slumber  as  the  cradling 
arms  of  the  mother  quiet  the  fretful  babe. 
The  outdoor  air  insures  it  when  everything 
else  fails.  The  green  grass  pillow  induces  it. 
The  sweetening  presence  and  protection  of 
the  Good  Shepherd  lulls  away  fears  and 
hfts  depressing  cares  in  the  breathed  atmos- 
phere of  love. 

Food  tastes  good  when  eaten  in  a  happy 
atmosphere.  It  then  adds  strength,  bright- 
ens the  brain,  and  creates  good  feehng.    No 

69 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

hard  worker  can  afford  to  miss  his  meals, 
carry  a  heavy  spirit  to  his  table,  or  permit 
them  to  be  broken  by  callers  or  business.  It 
is  one  of  his  resting  places. 

Sunday  laws  are  not  made  to  break  into 
our  personal  liberty,  but  to  shield  us  from 
soul  ill  health.  Noisy  baseball,  hilarious  ex- 
cursions, commercial  activities  spoil  possible 
meditation  periods  for  the  day,  which  are 
needed  so  that  we  can  walk  beside  the  still 
waters  of  freshening  worship.  It  was  made 
to  be  a  rest  day ;  rest  with  God  is  always  re- 
creating. A  European  Sunday  will  turn 
our  holy  day  into  a  holiday  and  our  warm 
worship  into  cold  formalism.  We  require 
the  quiet  of  one  day  in  seven. 

Isaiah  invites  folks  freely  in:  ''Ho,  every- 
one  that  thirsteth,  come  ye  to  the  waters,  and 
he  that  hath  no  money ;  come  ye,  buy  and  eat ; 
yea,  come,  buy  wine  and  milk  without  money 
and  without  price."  Dr.  Spurgeon  calls  at- 
tention to  the  fact  that  water  is  refreshing, 
wine  is  inspiriting,  and  milk  is  nourishing. 
All  of  this  is  included  here  in  the  still  waters. 
Our  Shepherd  has  walked  earth,  and  knows 

70 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

our  need  of  refreshment  and  where  to  find  it. 
We  can  trust  him  confidently,  and  follow 
with  peace  in  our  hearts.  At  the  needed 
time  he  will  find  for  us  the  "still  waters." 

Plummer  furnishes  several  varied  trans- 
lations for  ''He  leadeth  m^,"  as  follows: 
Septuagint :  "He  hath  led  me  by  the  waters 
of  quietness."  Church  of  England:  "He 
shall  lead  me  forth  beside  the  waters  of  com- 
fort." Calvin:  "He  leadeth  me  to  gently 
flowing  waters."  Street:  "Unto  waters  in- 
viting to  rest  he  gently  leadeth  me."  Fur- 
ther translations  are:  Perowne:  "Beside 
waters  of  rest  doth  he  guide  me."  Cheyne : 
"To  reposeful  waters  he  gently  guides  me." 
Briggs :  "Unto  refreshing  waters  he  leadeth 
me." 

Christ  is  not  a  herder,  but  a  Shepherd.  If 
he  drove  us,  that  would  make  of  us  a  ma- 
chine and  not  allow  us  to  build  a  godlike 
personality.  The  Germans,  with  their  theory 
of  military  government,  have  their  officers  in 
the  rear  of  the  men,  driving  them  forward. 
But  the  officers  of  the  Allies  always  lead. 

Christians  never  stand  still.    No  "second 

71 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

blessing"  can  fit  us  out  completely.  We 
push  toward  the  "mark."  We  grow  as  the 
wheat,  "first  the  blade,  then  the  ear,  after 
that  the  full  corn  in  the  ear."  We  are  satis- 
fied only  when  we  "awake  with  thy  hkeness" 
(Psa.  17.  15).  We  are  marching  to  the 
promised  land;  we  have  not  yet  reached  it. 
We  can  build  no  tabernacles  in  which  to  re- 
main on  the  mount  of  transfiguration;  the 
valley  holds  tasks  to  test  our  faith  and  util- 
ize our  blessings.  To-day's  experience  must 
be  better  than  that  of  yesterday.  He  leads 
on. 

"To-day  if  ye  will  hear  his  voice,  harden 
not  your  hearts."  Follow  promptly.  "Be- 
hold, now  is  the  accepted  time."  We  are  not 
left  to  ourselves.  "If  any  of  you  lack  wis- 
dom, let  him  ask  of  God."  All  sorts  of  ques- 
tions will  be  solved  for  us.  Every  day  and 
deed  affects  our  souls. 

Generals  Foch,  Haig,  and  Pershing  pray, 
as  do  President  Wilson  and  every  mem- 
ber of  the  Cabinet.  It  is  the  same  with 
English  statesmen.  The  materiahstic  leader 
seldom  wins.     The  well-balanced  man  is 

72 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

physically,  mentally,  and  spiritually  fed. 
The  day  is  coming  when  the  spiritually  unde- 
veloped will  be  as  incompetent  as  the  men- 
tally undeveloped  is  now.  Then  God  can 
speak  guidance  in  all  things. 

The  Good  Shepherd  meets  and  slays  all 
destructive  foes  ahead  of  us.  He  first  wades 
through  the  floods.  He  never  asks  the  im- 
possible. We  will  not  cover  pioneer  country 
— ^the  Master  goes  before  us. 

Christ's  disciples  must  lend  cooperation 
if  they  are  to  grow  into  his  likeness.  Who- 
soever "will"  may  drink  of  the  water.  He 
may  make  us  to  lie  down,  but  he  cannot  com- 
pel us  to  drink  of  the  water  of  life.  Folks 
who  complain  that  a  religious  service  is 
"dry"  are  usually  to  blame  themselves. 
They  do  not  cooperate  with  a  willful  open- 
ing of  their  whole  nature.  God  is  not  limited 
to  bringing  "water"  in  the  music  or  even  in 
the  message,  but  the  soul  that  thirsteth  will 
find  refreshment  in  the  very  atmosphere. 
"Blessed  are  they  that  .  .  .  thirst  after 
righteousness;  for  they  shall  be  filled." 

Many  folk  are  not  interested  in  seeking 

73 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

the  fountain  Christ  opened  because  they 
have  not  yet  seen  the  Shepherd  and  do  not 
know  its  value.  It  is  our  privilege  to  intro- 
duce men  to  Jesus,  for,  seeing  him,  they  will 
seek  to  follow. 

The  sheep  may  be  ever  so  thirsty,  but  fear 
will  keep  them  away  from  the  water  unless 
it  is  put  in  a  trough  or  shut  into  a  pool,  where 
it  will  be  quiet.  Many  have  an  indescribable 
fear  of  a  church  service,  and  those  that  stay 
away  will  miss  the  water  that  will  refresh 
and  brighten  their  lives.  A  minister  friend 
recently  ate  dinner  at  a  hotel  with  a  travel- 
ing man  who  protested  in  vigorous  and  pro- 
fane speech  against  the  miserable  luck  which 
shut  him  on  Sunday  into  so  small  a  town 
where  there  was  nothing  to  do.  After  a 
natural  and  intimate  visit,  my  friend  invited 
him  to  church  that  night  where  he  himself 
was  to  preach.  The  traveling  man,  utterly 
amazed  that  this  human  being  was  a 
preacher,  agreed  to  come.  After  the  service 
he  met  the  minister  and  declared,  while  tears 
ran  down  his  cheeks:  "When  my  wife  learns 
that  I  went  to  church  to-night  she  will  be 

74 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

gladdened  deeply.  Fear  and  prejudice  have 
also  been  removed,  so  that  it  will  be  easier 
to  go  the  next  time.  I  did  not  know  a 
church  service  could  so  invigorate  and  lift  a 
man." 

We  mil  not  always  be  led  to  the  still 
waters,  when  our  thirst  first  appears.  But 
He  who  was  compelled  in  agony  to  say  "I 
thirst,"  will  not  fail  to  meet  our  need  before 
we  utterly  faint.  Do  not,  therefore,  com- 
plain of  your  crosses  and  hard  times.  Recall 
the  soldiers  who  take  steady  training 
amid  many  deprivations  and  with  home- 
sick hearts.  They  smile  hopefully,  though 
they  know  constant  sacrifice  will  be  required 
through  the  war  and  that  certain  death  is 
ahead  for  many  of  them.  They  glow  and 
cheer  and  grow  and  aspire  under  it  all. 
Shall  we  then  moan  as  we  follow  the  cross, 
or  shall  we  be  as  cheery  as  the  soldiers  who 
follow  the  flag?  Our  Shepherd  will  not 
allow  us  to  be  exhausted  any  more  than  the 
government  will  fail  to  give  necessary  sup- 
plies. 

The  shepherd  maps  out  all  the  streams 

75 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

and  watering  places  scattered  over  the  graz- 
ing lands.  He  plans  to  lead  the  sheep  there 
at  just  the  ripe  moment.  Country  boys  re- 
member how  they  stopped  the  mower  or  the 
reaper  near  the  field  spring  ever  so  often 
during  the  hot  summer  day  for  a  coohng 
draught.    How  it  did  revive  one ! 

The  shepherd's  own  experience  interprets 
the  sheep's  need.  So  it  is  with  our  Shepherd. 
He  lived  as  a  man.  He  was  "tempted  in  all 
points  like  as  we  are."  He  walked  life's 
dusty  roads.  He  was  weary,  hungry,  and 
throat-parched.  He  wept  heart-drying 
tears.  He  thirsted  for  loyal  friendship  and 
sympathy.  And  he  went  away  into  hea- 
ven with  the  earth-scarred  body.  It  will  re- 
mind him  of  our  needs.  No  hfe  is  forsaken. 
There  are  no  outcasts.  God  has  water  of 
cleansing  and  refreshment  for  all.  Help 
arrives  hourly. 

When  we  know  the  Shepherd  we  will 
gladly  accept  what  comes.  A  visitor  to  a 
French  hospital  found  that  all  the  patients 
were  on  the  veranda  except  one.  He  went 
to  this  one  and  asked,  "Why  are  you  not  out 

76 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

with  the  others?"  The  patient,  as  a  reply, 
hfted  the  spread  to  show  that  both  feet  were 
gone.  Pitying  words  were  spoken  by  the 
visitor,  but  the  soldier  struck  them  aside  by 
the  declaration,  "Do  not  pity  me.  I  offered 
my  life  to  my  country,  but  she  only  took  my 
two  feet." 

Another  French  soldier,  met  by  a  buoyant 
American  lad  who  had  just  come  over,  re- 
vealed the  fact  that  one  arm  was  gone.  The 
American,  eager  to  sympathize,  said,  "How 
sad  it  is  to  see  that  you  have  lost  your  arm." 
The  French  soldier  straightened  up, 
looked  back  at  him  with  a  gleam  in  his  eye, 
and  said,  "Lost  it?  Oh,  no,  you  are  mis- 
taken.   I  gave  it." 

So  shall  we  give  ourselves  with  utter  con- 
fidence when  we  know  the  Shepherd. 

Briggs  says:  "Unto  refreshing  waters, 
not  'beside'  or  *along  side  of  [A.  V.  and  R. 
v.],  not  thinking  of  a  stream  which  is  not 
easy  to  find  in  the  grazing  lands  of  Palestine 
except  in  the  rainy  season;  but  *unto' — 
thinking  of  the  wells,  or  fountains,  from 
which  flocks  are  usually  watered."    We  can- 

77 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

not  always  be  within  the  close  reach  of  the 
refreshing  draught,  but  there  will  be  an 
oasis  in  every  desert. 

We  do  not  attend  church  to  pick  out 
the  mistakes  of  grammar,  the  musical  dis- 
cords, the  coldness  of  the  ushers,  or  the  awk- 
wardness of  the  minister.  "If  any  man 
thirst,  let  him  come  unto  me  and  drink,"  said 
Jesus.  "Water"  is  promised  in  spite  of  serv- 
ice or  preacher.  So  in  our  worship  time,  we 
seek  to  come  directly  to  the  Master.  No 
crude  or  personally  irritating  service,  or  hu- 
man conditions  can  then  keep  us  from  find- 
ing the  water. 

Dr,  Spurgeon  reminds  us  that  the  Holy 
Spirit  is  to  do  for  us  all  that  water  does. 
It  will  "cleanse,  refresh,  fertilize,  and 
cherish."  And  it  does  that  in  a  permanent 
and  upbuilding  way.  A  stimulant  or  a  drug 
may  revive  for  a  brief  period  and  demand 
as  its  price  depression  and  degeneration 
afterward.  Christ's  water  is  real  food;  it 
feeds  the  spirit  of  man  and  that  dominates 
all  else.  Paul  said,  "Be  not  drunk  with  wine, 
wherein  is  excess;  but  be  filled  with  the 

78 


i 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

Spirit."  Alcoholic  spirits  do  stimulate  tem- 
porarily, but  they  also  lead  one  to  poor  judg- 
ment, to  extravagance  and  to  an  upset  of  his 
poise.  He  who  is  drunk  with  power  over- 
balances and  seeks  revenge.  He  who  is 
drunk  with  greed  will  grind  down  little  chil- 
dren. Even  the  one  who  is  intoxicated  by 
learning  is  likely  to  neglect  the  weightier 
matters  of  the  law.  God's  spiritual  thrilling 
will  lift  us,  as  will  no  other,  and  at  the  same 
time  will  keep  us  well  proportioned  and  well 
poised  in  our  activities. 

Any  hind  of  recreation  which  shuts  out 
the  Shepherd  is  dangerous.  It  is  unworthy 
of  best  manhood.  There  is  no  question  about 
the  harm  of  gambling  or  drinking  or  hcen- 
tiousness ;  they  may  bring  temporary  recrea- 
tion, but  ultimately  they  destroy  far  beyond 
the  profit  of  pleasure.  All  enduring  recrea- 
tion is  approved  by  God;  man  needs  its 
freshening. 

Peter  Cartwright  was  invited  to  dance, 
while  stopping  at  a  country  inn.  He  se- 
lected his  partner  and  just  before  the  danc- 
ing began  declared,  "I  never  do  anything 

79 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

without  first  asking  the  blessing  of  God  upon 
that  which  I  am  doing."  Holding  the  hand 
of  his  partner,  he  led  out  into  the  middle  of 
the  hall  and  knelt  and  prayed  so  fervently 
that  a  tremendous  revival  broke  out  in  place 
of  the  dance.  We  will  never  enter  a  pleasure 
that  God  cannot  bless.  We  do  not  need  to 
be  severely  somber,  for  he  will  see  that  rich- 
est joys  recreate  and  keep  us  sweet  and  natu- 
ral. 

We  cannot  do  without  the  water  of  life. 
Men  have  fasted  for  forty  or  fifty  days,  but 
no  one  ever  existed  many  hours  without  fluid. 
Water  is  a  health  helper.  It  will  wash  out 
a  cold,  cool  an  inflammation,  soothe  a  fever, 
enrich  the  blood.  Jesus  is  exact  in  his  fig- 
ures. He  called  behevers  the  "salt  of  the 
earth."  No  living  thing,  plant,  animal,  or 
human,  can  live  long  without  salt.  Man  can- 
not work  without  light ;  Jesus  said,  "Ye  are 
the  light  of  the  world."  Fish  in  Mammoth 
Cave,  where  it  is  perpetually  dark,  lose  their 
power  to  see.  Jesus  is  also  pertinent  here 
in  using  water  as  a  symbol  of  God's  pro- 
vision for  our  needs. 

80 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

It  is  foolish  to  conclude  that  immersion  in 
itself,  because  a  large  amount  of  water  is 
used,  will  be  more  beneficial  than  sprinkling, 
because  a  smaller  amount  is  used.  It  is  con- 
trary to  the  whole  spirit  of  Christ  to  expect 
the  wine  or  the  bread  at  the  communion 
service  to  affect  the  spiritual  being,  simply 
because  they  are  taken  from  a  priest's  or 
minister's  hand ;  they  must  be  spiritually  ap- 
propriated by  the  individual. 

We  are  refreshed  by  a  simple  drink  of 
water,  in  our  very  spiritual  life,  if  we  see  in  it 
God's  care  and  love.  David,  when  Absalom 
revolted,  and  it  seemed  as  though  defeat  an/i 
death  were  certain,  expressed  a  wish  for  a 
drink  of  water  from  a  spring  which  he  had 
known  in  the  sweet  free  days  of  youth.  Inti- 
mate companions,  hearing  him,  risked  their 
lives  to  get  the  water  and  brought  it  back. 
When  he  received  it,  the  rush  of  memory 
made  vivid  the  good  care  of  his  Shepherd 
since  those  early  days.  To  make  notable 
that  freshening  reminder  he  poured  the 
water  out  on  the  ground  as  a  sacrifice  of- 
fering to  God.     In  that  use  of  the  water 

81 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

it  was  more  invigorating  than  if  he  had 
drunk  it. 

It  will  he  ''stilV  waters,  "Be  still,  and 
know  that  I  am  God."  In  the  terrible  times 
through  which  the  world  must  often  pass, 
we  need  to  stop  and  realize  that  God  is  on  his 
throne.  Garfield  thus  gathered  the  nation 
together  when  Lincoln  was  assassinated  and 
anarchy  threatened.  "God  lives  and  the  gov- 
ernment at  Washington  is  safe"  was  his  mes- 
sage. We  cannot  understand  or  see  the  end 
of  some  terrible  happenings.  Evil  men  may 
temporarily  block  God's  will,  but  all  history 
shows  that  in  spite  of  setbacks  civilization 
shows  steady  progress. 

Spurgeon  says:  "They  are  still  waters,  for 
the  Holy  Spirit  loves  peace,  and  sounds  no 
trumpet  of  ostentation  in  his  operations." 
The  "still,"  says  Adam  Clarke,  suggests  that 
the  "waters"  are  deep  and  hence  cool.  The 
same  thought  is  carried  by  Briggs  when  he 
translates  it  "refreshing  waters." 

Since  the  "waters"  are  the  outflowing  of 
springs,  hill  fed,  they  are  pure  and  abun- 
dant.   They  slake  the  thirst.    They  do  not 

82 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

play  out.  So  it  is  with  all  God's  supplies. 
He  gives  us  far  beyond  what  "we  ask  or 
think."  He  gives  us  all  things  "richly  to 
enjoy."  People  have  heart  thirst;  they  are 
lonely  and  long  to  be  loved.  The  assurance 
comes,  "As  my  Father  hath  loved  me  even 
so  love  I  you." 

The  Shepherd  takes  account  of  the  sheep's 
fears,  often  unreasoning,  and  prepares  the 
water  so  the  sheep  drink  it  in  conscious 
security.  His  presence  and  reassurance 
banishes  fear  that  would  spoil  the  drink. 
They  know  the  voice  of  the  shepherd,  and  so 
come  to  him  naturally  and  implicitly.  To 
make  their  thirst  known  is  to  be  sure  of  being 
satisfied. 

A  little  lad  was  compelled  to  tend  his 
sheep  upon  Sabbath  days  when  everyone 
else  passed  him  on  the  way  to  church.  He 
had  lately  been  told  about  the  Good  Shep- 
herd. A  sympathetic  gentleman  who  passed 
found  him  on  his  knees  with  his  hands 
folded  and  stopped  a  moment  to  listen.  He 
discovered  that  the  boy  was  saying  his  A  B 
C's  and  inquired  the   occasion.     The  lad, 

83 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

startled  a  bit,  rose  from  his  knees  and  said, 
"I  do  not  know  any  regular  prayer,  but  I 
felt  the  need  of  my  heavenly  Shepherd,  and 
not  knowing  how  to  put  it  in  words  I  merely 
said  my  A  B  C's,  knowing  that  he  would 
take  them  and  spell  out  what  I  really 
needed." 

God  may  permit  us  to  he  forsaken  hy  hu- 
man hind  so  that  we  will  search  for  him  in  the 
quiet  places.  Major  James  H.  Cole  was  a 
successful  business  man,  and  suddenly, 
through  no  fault  of  his  own,  lost  all  his  for- 
tune. In  his  utter  loneliness  and  despair  he 
cried  out  for  direction  and  was  sent  into  the 
evangelistic  field,  where  he  won  thousands  to 
Christ.  George  H.  Matheson,  losing  his 
eyesight,  was  then  rejected  by  his  sweet- 
heart, with  whom  in  the  vision  days  of  love 
he  had  built  glorious  air  castles.  Sitting  in 
his  loneliness,  he  wi^ote  the  heavenly  har- 
monies that  are  contained  in  such  books  as 
Times  of  Retirement,  which  have  brought 
"water"  to  the  souls  of  men.  The  very 
acme  of  his  steady  source  of  supplies  is  in 
this: 

84 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

"  O  Love  that  wilt  not  let  me  go, 
I  rest  my  weary  soul  in  thee. 
I  give  thee  back  the  life  I  owe. 
That  in  thine  ocean  depths  its  flow 
May  richer,  fuller  be." 

Our  Shepherd  has  charted  all  the  land.  He 
knows  the  road  that  leads  to  the  still  waters 
from  any  point  of  our  life.  He  may  find  us 
at  honor's  crossroad,  or  at  the  close  of  dis- 
heartening defeat,  or  on  the  gay  field  of  pros- 
perity and  success,  or  amid  the  dark  gloom 
of  a  blinding  loss  from  death's  onslaught ;  it 
matters  not — he  knows  the  way  to  the  still 
waters  and  there  will  be  the  green  grass  of 
repose  along  whose  edge  the  lulling  stream 
will  sing  us  into  rest.  He  speaks  aiid  all 
storms  stop. 

The  world  is  wide 
In  time  and  tide. 
And  God  is  guide — 
Then  do  not  hurry. 

That  man  is  blest 
Who  does  his  best 
And  leaves  the  rest — 
Then  do  not  worry. 
85 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 


CHAPTER  IV 

THE  BEST  SELF  KEPT 
MASTERFUL 

"  He  restoreth  my  soul " 

Delitzsch  asserts  that  the  twenty-third 
psalm  was  written  by  David  during  the  time 
of  Absalom's  revolt.  If  that  is  correct,  and 
David  wrote  it  then,  he  was  under  heavy  de- 
pression at  the  time,  and  needed  cheer.  It 
is  certain  to  banish  discouragement,  awaken 
sustained  enthusiasm  and  equip  for  any  ex- 
perience. 

War  days  darken  the  horizon  and  depress 
the  spirit.  But  when  the  night  is  black,  we 
more  fully  enjoy  the  sunshine  of  the  day  that 
follows.  The  Rev.  Dr.  M.  L.  Robinson,  in 
a  report  to  the  New  York  Conference  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  declared  that 
amid  the  five  million  people  of  greater  New 
York  there  were  only  fifty  thousand  Meth- 
odists.   Out  of  the  two  milHon  people  in  the 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

suburbs  there  were  only  fifty-four  thousand. 
In  the  Bronx  there  is  one  Methodist  to  every 
one  hundred  and  twenty-three  people,  in 
Manhattan  one  to  every  one  hundred  and 
thirty- four,  while  in  the  country  at  large 
there  is  one  to  every  twenty  people.  Other 
denominations  fare  no  better.  Such  facts 
might  utterly  discourage  effort  in  a  great 
city.  But  since  God  is  with  us,  who  can 
estimate  the  outcome?  Even  Nineveh  re- 
pented. 

Nature  mends  every  rent,  A  cut  finger  is 
aided  immediately  by  the  salt  which  is  with- 
drawn from  all  other  excretions  and  sent  to 
that  particularly  hurt  place.  Near  Peters- 
burg, Virginia,  is  the  old  crater  where  the 
mine  was  blown  up  under  the  direction  of 
General  Grant,  to  open  a  way  into  the  Con- 
federate territory.  Hundreds  were  de- 
stroyed and  terrific  gashes  were  cut  in  the 
earth,  but  it  is  all  healed  over  now  with  grow- 
ing grass.  Near  by  was  located  Camp  Lee, 
where  the  Pennsylvania  troops  celebrated 
General  Lee's  birthday,  and  the  Virginia 
troops    celebrated    Lincoln's,    and    in    one 

87 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

mighty  chorus  they  all  sang  "The  Star- 
spangled  Banner."  God's  Fatherhood  may 
one  day  make  earth's  nations  one  family. 

The  English  grew  tyrannical  in  their 
treatment  of  the  American  colonies,  but  hav- 
ing learned  a  lesson  in  the  Revolution  were 
able  to  help  save  France  from  the  despotism 
of  Napoleon.  Democracy  was  thus  greatly 
advanced.  The  liberty  ideals  of  the  republic 
of  the  United  States  were  being  sapped  by 
the  cancer,  slavery,  and  only  the  Civil  War 
removed  it.  But  these  forces  all  advanced 
by  wars  against  each  other  are  now  united 
in  the  common  purpose  to  give  democracy 
to  the  whole  world  and  are  fighting  to  that 
end.  The  very  contests  which  these  nations 
had  among  themselves  made  dearer  to  them 
the  ideal  for  which  they  are  now  fighting  to- 
gether. 

Empowerment  does  not  come  from  a 
peace  secured  by  seclusion.  The  ship  held 
through  the  storm  by  a  rock-gripping  anchor 
best  represents  life.  Jesus  did  not  plan  a 
hermitage.  Paul  gloried  because  he  had 
"fought  a  good  fight."    The  crown  goes  to 

88 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

those  coming  out  of  "great  tribulation." 
Paul's  "thorn"  was  not  removed,  but  suffi- 
cient sustaining  grace  was  supplied  to  enable 
him  to  bear  it.  One  unwilling  to  carry  a 
cross  was  called  an  unworthy  disciple.  The 
heat  of  the  day  must  be  endured  if  the  cool 
of  the  evening  is  enjoyed.  The  "still  waters" 
do  not  mean  that  there  will  be  no  feet- 
blistering  pathways. 

"Still"  waters  does  not  mean  a  "still" 
tongue.  We  need  often  to  cry  aloud  and 
spare  not.  Of  the  twenty-three  ministers 
in  Springfield  during  Lincoln's  cam- 
paign twenty  were  opposed  to  him. 
When  he  discovered  the  fact  his  heart  was 
greatly  burdened.  That  was  sad,  but  in  the 
end,  however,  Lincoln's  greatest  encourage- 
ment and  aid  came  from  the  churches  and 
Christian  leaders. 

No  man  can  meet  life's  demands  unaided. 
Good  resolutions  alone  are  flimsy  supporters. 
We  war  not  only  against  flesh  and  blood, 
but  "against  principalities,  against  powers, 
against  the  rulers  of  the  darkness  of  this 
world,  against  spiritual  wickedness  in  high 

89 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

places"  (Eph.  6.  12).  Our  vision  should  be 
clear.  Optimism  must  be  as  regular  as  the 
heart  beat,  effort  as  steady  as  breathing. 
But  courage  fails,  strength  is  limited,  and 
wisdom  is  so  shortsighted.  We  must  be  re- 
vived, saved  from  mistakes,  led  back  from 
sidetracks  and  wrong  tacks.  We  must  be 
encouraged  at  the  core  of  our  hves. 

We  have  been  too  prone  to  accept  pros- 
perity as  a  token  of  God's  affection  and  bless- 
ing. It  has  often  instead  brought  a  curse. 
Rome  degenerated  under  it.  America 
wanders  from  God  when  money  gives  great 
ease.  God  measures  his  blessings  by  the 
effect  upon  the  spiritual  life  of  the  people. 

At  whatever  cost,  our  souls  must  be  re- 
stored, recreated,  revived.  The  Good  Shep- 
herd insures  that  if  we  follow  him,  for  "He 
restoreth  the  soul."  And  then,  though  they 
may  kill  the  body,  they  cannot  hurt  the  soul. 
Though  they  may  starve  the  stomach,  they 
cannot  bring  famine  upon  the  soul. 

Different  translations  always  shed  light. 
Plummer  fathers  many.  Here  are  his  quo- 
tations: "The  Septuagint,  Syriac,  Ethiopic, 

90 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

Vulgate  and  Douai:  *He  hath  converted  my 
soul.'  Venema:  'He  shall  refresh  my  soul.' 
Amesius:  *He  maketh  my  soul  quiet.'  Fry: 
*He  reneweth  my  strength.'  Hengstenberg: 
'He  revives  my  soul.'  " 

The  Syrian  Guest  suggests  "Restores  me 
when  wandering."  Delitzsch  says  that  the 
Hebrew  word  "signifies  to  bring  back  the 
soul  that  is,  as  it  were,  flown  away,  so  that 
it  comes  to  itself  again,  therefore  to  impart 
new  life,  'recreate.'  This  he  does  to  the  soul 
by  causing  it  amid  the  dryness  and  heat 
of  temptation  and  trouble  to  taste  the  very 
essence  of  life  which  refreshes  and 
strengthens  it."  Spurgeon  says,  "When  the 
soul  grows  sorrowful,  he  revives  it;  when  it 
is  sinful,  he  sanctifies  it;  when  it  is  weak, 
he  strengthens  it."  Whedon  says,  "He 
bringeth  back  my  soul,  as  a  sheep  that  had 
strayed"  (Matt.  18.  12,  13;  1  Peter  2.  25). 
The  word  for  "restoreth"  means  "to  return, 
bring  back,"  or,  figuratively  speaking,  "con- 
vert." 

Briggs  says,  ''The  soul  is  here,  as  usually 
in  Hebrew,  the  seat  of  the  appetites  and  de- 

91 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

sires''  Dr.  Cheyne  says,  "The  soul  is  the 
conscious,  individuahzed  principle  of  life." 
The  old  teachers,  quoting  1  Thess.  5.  23, 
taught  that  man  was  three-parted,  tricho- 
tomy, or  composed  of  spirit,  soul,  and  body. 
"Spirit  is  the  highest  in  man,  the  organ  of 
divine  hf  e  and  communion  with  God,  the  seat 
of  the  divine  indwelling;  while  the  soul  is 
the  seat  of  the  natural  human  life,  where 
dwell  and  act  the  naturally  used  faculties  of 
the  conscious  being"  (William  Newton 
Clark,  in  An  Outline  of  Christian  Theology, 
p.  183) .  Later  theologians  teach  that  "soul" 
and  "spirit"  are  used  interchangeably.  "The 
nonbodily  part  of  man  may  be  viewed  in  its 
relation  to  God,  or  in  its  relation  to  the  hfe 
that  it  is  living  in  the  body  on  the  earth" 
(Clark,  p.  183).  This  makes  man  two- 
parted,  dichotomy.  If  he  develops  his  soul 
toward  God,  he  is  spiritual. 

When  the  soul  is  "restored,"  our  keen 
sense  of  the  Indwelling  God  supphes  cour- 
age and  wisdom.  We  may  have  wandered 
from  his  pathway  or  hidden  because  shamed 
by  our  sin.    We  may  have  been  blinded  by 

92 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

despairing  doubt  or  discouraged  by  defeat. 
Whatever  be  the  cause  of  soul  faintness,  he 
will  revive,  restore  our  souls  by  bringing  us 
face  to  face  with  the  freshening  conscious- 
ness of  his  love.  If  the  soul  be  strong,  one 
shall  "chase  a  thousand,  and  two  put  ten 
thousand  to  flight."  "If  God  be  for  us,  who 
can  be  against  us?" 

Culture  alone  will  not  give  moral  discrim- 
ination nor  open  the  vision  windows  into  the 
future  life.  But  soul  health  gives  tone,  pur- 
pose, and  victory  to  all  life.  It  makes  real 
a  future  day  of  glory  that  turns  all  trials 
and  toil  into  ultimate  helps.  It  reveals 
righteousness  as  a  practical  asset.  If  the 
soul  faint  and  die,  then  man  is  only  an  ani- 
mal. He  is  lonely,  forlorn,  and  uncharted. 
He  becomes  the  slave  instead  of  the  master 
of  his  lower  nature.  God  does  not  merely 
pity  us  in  our  distress  and  discomfort,  but 
empowers  us  to  walk  out  of  the  valley  of 
despair. 

Bees  flit  about  and  find  honey  in  most  un- 
expected places.  Our  restored  souls  may 
discover    amid    unpromising    surroundings 

93 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

stimulants  and  supplies  for  our  best  self. 
No  doctrine  is  true  unless  it  feeds  us  so  that 
we  can  rise  above  material  things.  When 
the  soul  is  "restored"  we  do  not  faint  from 
shame  over  the  sense  of  our  sin,  but,  rather, 
go  to  the  fountain  of  cleansing  with  con- 
fidence. We  do  not  despair  hopelessly  as 
we  face  our  apparent  worthlessness,  but 
quickly  recall  that  even  the  one-talented 
man  is  needed.  We  dare  not  sit  in  idleness 
amid  futile  excuses,  for  we  remember  that  to 
each  one  a  task  is  assigned;  growth  comes 
only  in  the  exercise  of  service. 

If  our  best  selves  sleep,  then  greed  will 
turn  us  into  heartless  tyrants,  or  lust  trans- 
form us  into  beasts,  or  pride  send  us  strut- 
ting through  life  satisfied,  like  the  peacock, 
with  mere  gaudy  display.  The  Germans, 
neglecting  their  souls  and  building  instead 
a  heartless  efficiency,  become  demoniacally 
possessed  and  end  in  worshiping  Satan  as 
God. 

Dr.  E.  T.  Shelly,  a  skilled  medical  ex- 
pert, tells  of  an  experiment  in  the  treat- 
ment of  a  simpleton.     Scientists  had  con- 

94 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

eluded  that  the  child  remained  in  an  infancy 
state  because  one  of  the  necessary  glands 
was  starved  out  by  another  gland  which 
stole  away  its  food.  He  undertook  to  fur- 
nish artificial  food  to  the  starved  gland.  The 
experiment  succeeded.  Both  glands  were 
equally  fed,  and  in  a  few  months  the  child  be- 
came poised,  natural,  and  intelligent,  and 
though  six  or  eight  years  of  age  began  imme- 
diately to  grow  out  of  infancy.  That  illus- 
trates what  happens  to  humans  who  neglect 
the  soul.  They  lose  the  sense  of  proportion 
in  ordering  their  lives,  and  in  comparison 
with  well-balanced  sons  of  God  they  are 
"simpletons";  they  remain  infants  and  do 
not  become  stalwarts. 

An  artist  traifis  his  senses  to  differentiate 
colors  eocactly  and  exquisitely,  A  musician 
develops  his  sense  of  hearing  until  he  is  pe- 
culiarly sensitive  to  discords,  and  so  becomes 
able  to  work  out  beautiful  harmonies.  A 
spiritually  minded  soul  will  develop  his  sense 
of  God  until  everywhere  he  will  see  God's 
ways  and  work  at  every  task  as  assigned  by 
him.    The  soul  will  be  kept  so  healthy  that  it 

95 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

will  appropriate  all  its  surroundings  for  up- 
building; or,  to  change  the  figure,  the  sheep 
will  be  so  in  fellowship  with  the  shepherd, 
that  when  it  needs  green  grass  or  still  waters 
they  will  be  furnished  in  right  proportion  to 
keep  the  sheep  capable  of  living  its  own  life. 

Dr.  Fisk,  in  Life  Everlasting,  insists  that 
the  brain  is  merely  the  medium  through 
which  the  soul  expresses  itself.  Material- 
ists have  tried  to  insist  that  the  soul  and  brain 
were  identical,  and  that  when  one  perished 
both  did  so.  Dr.  Bowman,  a  celebrated  phy- 
sician who  gave  much  of  his  life  to  the  study 
of  immortality  from  the  standpoint  of  physi- 
ology, insists  that  not  only  is  the  brain  the 
medium  of  the  soul  but  that  the  soul  creates 
the  brain.  He  instances  the  case  of  Helen 
Keller,  whose  personahty  he  says  was  asleep, 
until  Miss  Sullivan  awakened  and  so  di- 
rected it  that  the  brain  was  developed  until 
she  could  mentally  hear,  speak,  and  act. 

We  are  not  strangers  to  God;  we  are  his 
sons  and  daughters.  The  sheep  are  never 
wild  and  unclaimed;  they  do  not  roam 
around  at  will.     They  are  the  property  of 

96 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

somebody.  God  added  to  his  normal  owner- 
ship the  purchase  of  Christ's  redemption. 
We  have  a  natural  point  of  contact  with 
God.  We  must  beware  lest  the  soul  be  lulled 
to  sleep.  African  natives  die  by  the  score 
from  the  "sleeping  sickness."  They  imagine 
that  they  are  dozing  off  into  restful  ease 
when  poison  is  slowly  deadening  their  senses 
until  death  ensues.  The  victim  of  freezing 
must  by  vigorous  exercise  be  kept  from 
dying,  else  drowsiness  will  make  him  sit  in 
idleness,  until  the  frost  stops  his  heart  beat. 
General  Pershing  cabled  to  Washington 
early  in  the  war  for  one  thousand  white  mice 
and  one  thousand  canary  birds.  The  War 
Department  traced  carefully  through  all  the 
codes,  hoping  to  find  the  hidden  message 
these  words  carried.  But  in  vain.  When 
about  to  despair,  an  officer  who  had  just 
come  from  General  Pershing's  headquarters 
at  the  front  interpreted  it.  "The  General 
wants  just  what  he  has  requisitioned.  When 
poison  gas  first  begins  to  come,  white  mice 
and  canaries  detect  it  when  no  other  living 
thing  can  do  so,  and  give  warning.  The  white 

97 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

mouse  scratches  his  nose  and  the  canary 
ruffles  his  feathers."  The  soldiers  can  then 
put  on  their  gas  masks  in  time  and  be  pre- 
pared to  meet  the  deadly  fumes.  So  we  must 
be  made  sensitive,  by  the  indwelling  Spirit, 
so  that  we  will  be  forewarned  and  ready 
when  Satan's  poison  gases  are  turned  upon 
our  souls. 

The  lieutenant  who  discovered  the  south 
pole  told  John  R.  Mott  of  a  man  who  sat 
still  and  laughed  when  warned  that  he  was 
freezing  and  replied,  "I  never  felt  better  in 
my  hfe;  it  is  fooKsh  to  tell  me  that."  It  was 
only  when  they  beat  him  vigorously  that  he 
was  awakened  to  the  fact  that  he  was  actu- 
ally freezing  and  must  exert  himself  energet- 
ically to  save  his  life. 

Darwin  said  regarding  his  walking  amid 
the  marvelous  forests  of  Brazil:  "Once  when 
I  visited  these  Brazilian  forests  I  wrote 
that  man  is  more  than  his  breath.  Now  I 
have  no  such  feelings  concerning  man's  im- 
mortality, having  lost  them  through  mis- 
use." And  he  adds  pathetically,  "Unbelief 
crept  over  me  so  slowly  that  faith  went  away 

98 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

without  pain."  We  must  keep  our  souls 
"restored." 

When  the  prodigal  came  to  himself  he  re- 
turned to  his  father's  house.  He  gave  up  his 
old  unnatural  bad  habits.  The  image  of 
God  in  him  was  restored  to  power.  He  was 
put  back  into  the  way  of  life,  having  been 
brought  out  of  the  way  of  death  in  which  he 
did  not  belong.  "Holiness"  and  "whole- 
ness" are  interchangeable  words  in  the  trans- 
lation of  the  Greek.  If  we  do  not  enjoy  a 
prayer  meeting  and  find  it  dry,  then  we  need 
a  restoration,  just  as  the  man  who  has  no 
appetite  needs  remedies  which  will  restore 
him  to  health. 

In  prayer  and  meditation  periods,  we 
store  up  strength  so  that  we  will  he  able  to 
endure  the  storm  that  hursts  unexpectedly 
upon  us.  Israel  gathered  manna  every  day. 
It  is  typical  of  spiritual  food.  Physical 
strength  slips  away  and  is  revived  by  regular 
meals.  Temptations  exhaust  us.  We  must 
have  soul-freshening.  Life  is  such  a  hum- 
drum. Our  work  seems  unimportant,  we  ap- 
pear to  be  so  obscure.     We  minimize  our- 

99 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

selves  and  grow  morose.  Then  He  restores 
us.  We  are  reminded  that  the  one  faithful 
in  that  which  is  least  will  be  promoted.  We 
recall  that  a  cup  of  water  given  in  His  name 
will  not  go  unnoticed.  In  due  time  we  shall 
reap  if  we  faint  not.  The  Spirit  witnesses 
that  we  are  "joint  heirs  with  Jesus  Christ." 
The  sky  grows  red  with  promise  and  every 
common  bush  is  aglow  with  God.  So  we  are 
restored  and  start  out  with  new  stimulus  to 
do  the  common  things  for  the  glory  of  God. 

Do  you  recollect  how  the  teacher  honored 
us  by  assigning  a  task  to  be  done  for  her? 
Possibly  we  would  gather  whips  that  were  to 
be  used  for  punishment  and  then  find  our- 
selves to  be  the  first  culprit.  Or  we  watered 
the  plants,  dusted  the  desk,  or  ran  an  errand, 
and  were  thrilled  by  the  privilege  of  doing 
it  for  the  teacher.  We  may  discover  that  the 
tiniest  tasks  can  be  done  for  our  Lord  Christ. 
New  impulse  and  inspiration  come  to  us  as 
they  do  to  the  woman  become  a  mother 
ministering  to  her  own  babe. 

He  heals  the  backsliding  of  individuals  as 
well  as  of  nations.    He  begins  upon  the  heart 

100 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

in  a  perfectly  natural  and  progressive  way. 
Peter  saw  in  his  Master's  eye  the  grieved  dis- 
appointment over  the  wrathful  denial.  That 
drove  him  out  to  weep  bitterly.  Jesus  re- 
membered his  penitence,  and  when  he  arose 
from  the  dead  he  gave  instructions;  go  tell 
the  disciples  "and  Peter."  A  little  later 
Peter,  in  utter  discouragement,  went  back  to 
his  old  business  as  a  fisherman.  Jesus  fol- 
lowed him,  prepared  breakfast  by  the  water- 
side, and  having  fed  the  weary  disciples, 
turned  to  Peter  and  said  "Lovest  thou  me?" 
An  affirmative  reply  brought  Peter  the  priv- 
ileged assignment,  "Feed  my  sheep." 

Plummer  says,  "It  is,  however,  a  blessed 
truth  that  God  has  in  his  gospel  cordials  for 
the  fainting  and  correctives  for  the  stray- 
ing." 

Spurgeon  quotes  Thomas  Dale  as  saying: 
"The  subjects  experimentally  treated  in  this 
verse  are,  first,  the  believer's  liability  to  fall, 
or  deviate  even  within  the  fold  of  the  church, 
else  wherefore  should  he  need  to  be  're- 
stored' ?  Next  the  promptitude  of  the  Good 
Shepherd  to  interpose  for  his  rescue."    He 

101 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

also  quotes  J.  Thornton  as  saying,  "The 
same  hand  which  first  rescued  us  from  ruin 
reclaims  us  from  all  our  subsequent  aberra- 
tions." Men  never  forget  the  old  joy  of 
fellowship  with  Christ,  though  they  do  not 
at  once  come  back.  He  can  and  will  restore 
it  and  lead  into  new  service. 

Hopeless  sorrow  is  banished  by  Christ's 
empty  tomb.  We  know,  then,  that  death  has 
no  power  and  faith  thrills  and  lifts  us.  In 
lonely  tramps,  we  discover  that  another  is 
by  our  side.  Our  hearts  burn  within  us, 
even  as  did  the  hearts  of  the  pilgrims  on  the 
way  to  Emmaus.  He  does  walk  our  high- 
ways still.  We  will  be  given  loads  just  large 
enough  for  us  to  carry.  Cross-bearing  will 
build  faith,  for  we  will  suddenly  discover 
that  we  can  endure  the  things  that  were  once 
impossible.  This  convinces  that  growth  has 
occurred,  and  that  God's  manna  nourishes. 

A  lost  child  hails  with  bounding  joy  one 
who  can  guide  him  home.  Only  those  with  a 
similar  experience  can  understand  the  prodi- 
gal's feelings  when  he  found  the  father  wait- 
ing for  him.    Mary  said  "Rabboni"  on  that 

102 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

first  Easter  morning  with  a  heart  melody 
impossible  for  us  to  reproduce.  The  dining 
disciples  could  not  tell  the  others  how  they 
felt  when  the  Master  opened  their  eyes  at  the 
Emmaus  inn.  Fletcher  in  his  prayer  closet 
cried  out  for  fear  lest  the  happiness  of  flood- 
ing blessings  burst  his  heart.  The  joy  of  our 
recognized  Lord  will  be  our  portion  and 
bring  a  personally  peculiar  experience.  It 
will  not  lift  us  over  the  hills  but  give  us 
strength  to  surmount  them. 

The  shepherd  keeps  the  sheep  in  health 
and  does  not  merely  pick  them  up  when 
they  faint  by  the  wayside.  Our  Shepherd 
will  prescribe  for  us  until  we  have  an  appe- 
tite for  the  "green  grass"  and  "still  waters." 
We  will  use  the  means  of  grace  within  our 
reach  and  there  gather  fresh  strength. 
Briggs  says,  "By  the  rich  provision  for  eat- 
ing and  drinking,  he  revives,  strengthens,  re- 
stores to  full  activity  and  enjoyment." 

Doubting  Thomases  will  still  need  to  see 
the  wounds  upon  the  body  of  Christ.  The 
Master  will  not  disappoint  them,  and  so  he 
needs  us  to  reincarnate  those  wounds  and 

103 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

scars.  We  may,  therefore,  be  called  to  suffer 
persecution  and  loss  without  complaint  or 
darkening  of  faith  before  the  eyes  of  the 
world.  Jesus  will  still  take  the  babes  in  his 
arms  as  of  old  when  he  said,  "Suffer  the  little 
children  to  come  unto  me,"  but  he  may  use 
you  to  be  those  arms  by  offering  you  home- 
less French  and  Belgian  orphans  or  those 
nearer  by,  to  mother.  Everywhere  are  sad 
and  lonely  hearts,  hungry  for  the  messages 
of  the  Master,  which  we  may  bear  in  a  glad 
body  refreshed  by  and  in  the  act. 

We  must  watch  and  pray.  It  must  be  a 
daily  practice.  Manna  could  not  be  stored, 
lest  the  sense  of  dependence  upon  God  be 
lost.  Church  attendance,  prayer  meeting 
participation,  private  devotion  must,  then,  be 
regular  and  frequent. 

Peter  wanted  to  build  tabernacles  upon 
the  transfiguration  mount  so  that  the  three 
disciples  could  stay  there  with  the  Master 
in  their  enjoyment.  But  Jesus  taught  the 
ever-true  lesson  that  soul  blessings  are  only 
to  equip  us  to  carry  relief  to  the  sad  and  en- 
slaved ones  in  life's  valleys. 

104 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

We  will  have  strength  for  trials,  not  de- 
liverance from  all  of  them.  We  will  not  be 
taken  out  of  the  world,  but  will  be  equipped 
to  win.  Perowne  quotes  Stopford  Brooke: 
"He  does  not  only  give  us  comfort;  that 
would  weaken  character.  He  gives  us 
power ;  for  the  true  comforter  is  the  strength- 
ener  in  pain,  not  the  remover  of  pain."  So 
the  restoration  does  not  lift  us  out  of  the 
valley  by  unseen  hands,  but  gives  strength 
to  walk  out.  God  does  not  miraculously  take 
off  the  burden,  but  gives  power  to  stand  up 
under  it.  We  do  not  avoid  any  duty,  but 
claim  courage  and  ability  to  squarely  face 
every  task. 

There  is  no  public  compose  of  our  faults 
and  failures.  As  does  a  skilled  physician, 
so  he  gives  us  private  examination  and  pre- 
scription. No  one  will  be  cast  off.  Even 
Judas  could  have  been  restored  had  he  been 
wilhng  to  repent.  "Him  that  cometh  unto 
me,  I  will  in  no  wise  cast  out."  Even  sins  do 
not  shut  us  away  if  we  repent.  "Though 
your  sins  be  as  scarlet,  they  shall  be  as  white 
as  snow."    Mary  Magdalene  found  answer 

105 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

to  her  penitence  and  went  away  cleansed  to 
be  a  fragrant  blessing.  There  are  no  privi- 
leged classes.    "Whosoever  will"  may  come. 

No  cross  presses  down  upon  our  shoulders 
or  heart  but  what  He  has  felt  its  weight. 
None  will  be  allowed  to  utterly  faint.  If  we 
had  no  wearying  cross,  we  would  not  sym- 
pathize with  earth's  woes.  If  our  wounds 
never  bled,  we  could  not  be  tender  of  touch 
in  binding  up  others'  cuts.  When  Dr. 
Howe,  whose  wife,  Juha  Ward  Howe, 
wrote  "The  Battle  Hymn  of  the  Republic," 
determined  to  study  the  blind  with  the  hope 
of  bringing  help  to  their  minds  and  hearts, 
he  found  that  he  must  enter  into  real  sym- 
pathy with  them.  Every  day  for  many 
weeks  during  long  periods  he  went  about  his 
work  with  his  eyes  bandaged  so  that  he  could 
not  see  a  single  thing.  In  this  way  he  could 
understand  the  feelings  of  the  bhnd  people 
to  whom  he  desired  to  minister.  So  was  he 
able  to  be  touched  with  the  feelings  of  their 
infirmities  and  help  them. 

Bishop  Simpson  in  his  Yale  lectures  on 
preaching  tells  of  the  first  effort  made  in  the 

106 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

United  States  to  train  an  imbecile.  A 
wealthy  young  doctor  studied  the  Euro- 
pean methods  for  months  and  then  returned 
and  advertised  for  the  worst  obtainable  case. 
A  boy  nine  years  old  who  had  never  made  a 
conscious  movement  was  secured.  For  six 
months  the  doctor  lay  on  the  floor  by  the  side 
of  this  mass  of  flesh  and  read  to  it.  Then  he 
was  about  to  give  up  in  despair  because  there 
appeared  to  be  no  conscious  movements. 
But  suddenly  he  saw  the  lips  move,  and  he 
then  put  himself  in  touch  with  the  child,  and 
ultimately  taught  him  to  do  and  recite  many 
things.  The  doctor  put  himself  by  the  child 
until  he  caught  his  inner  life,  then  lifted  him 
up  toward  his  level.  That  Christ  came  also 
to  do  for  our  souls. 

Captain  Arthur  Hunt  Chute,  who  was  a 
newspaper  correspondent  during  the  Mex- 
ican and  Balkan  Wars,  went  out  with  the 
first  Canadian  contingent  and  was  in  the 
thickest  of  the  fight  before  Ypres.  When  he 
came  into  the  war  he  was  asked,  "What 
church  do  you  belong  to?"  and  answered 
"O,  put  me  down  as  an  atheist."    He  ex- 

107 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

plained:  "I  did  not  want  to  be  bothered  by 
any  driveling  chaplain."  But  later  he  was 
sorely  wounded  and  lay  for  six  months  in 
the  hospital.  During  that  period  he  fought 
his  way  through  to  God  and  saw  things 
which  before  he  did  not  understand.  In  an 
address  he  said:  "At  Ypres  the  Allies  were 
completely  whipped.  All  about  us  were  the 
bloated  forms  of  my  comrades  who  had  never 
before  known  poison  gas  which  had  been 
thrown  upon  them.  The  onrushing  Ger- 
mans might  easily  have  marched  into  Paris 
had  not  something  stopped  them.  What 
was  it?  The  hand  of  God  had  written,  'Thus 
far  shalt  thou  go,  and  no  farther/  I  asked 
two  or  three  of  the  defending  officers  how 
they  explained  the  fact  that  we  were  not  de- 
feated. With  calmness  and  a  softening  eye 
they  answered.  Tt  was  all  the  work  of  the 
White  Comrade.'  "  So  it  comes  to  pass  that 
our  Good  Shepherd  can  lead  beside  the  still 
waters,  even  though  the  forces  of  hell  seem  to 
rush  madly  against  us  through  dark  and 
lonely  days. 


108 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 


CHAPTER  V 

GUIDED  RIGHTLY  THROUGH 
ACTIVE  DAYS 

"  He  leadeth  me  in  the  paths  of  righteousness  for 
his  name's  sake  " 

Dr.  Briggs  holds  that  the  figure  in  the 
psahn  here  changes  from  a  Shepherd  to  a 
Guide.  If  that  be  granted,  the  symbol  is 
still  unspoiled. 

An  Alpine  guide  was  seen,  from  the  hotel 
veranda,  leading  three  people  over  the 
mountain  pathway,  when  suddenly  one 
slipped,  and  the  others,  falling,  were  held 
from  death  only  by  the  rope  that  was  at- 
tached to  the  guide's  body.  He  calmly 
took  his  knife,  cut  the  rope  and  let  them  drop 
into  the  precipice.  On  his  return  he  was  so 
avoided  and  condemned  for  his  cowardice 
that  soon  afterward  he  committed  suicide. 
The  guide  will  give  his  life,  if  worthy  of  the 
title,  for  those  who  follow  him.    Christ  did. 

109 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

Financiers  boasted  bravely  that  they 
would  stop  the  war.  Earlier  they  announced 
that  without  their  consent  the  war  could  not 
start.  Commerce  alone  has  not  spread  civ- 
ihzation,  but  has  rather  increased  rivalry 
and  jealousy.  Art  achieves  its  highest  form 
only  when  it  approaches  Christian  concep- 
tions in  its  productions. 

Unaided  reason  never  saves  a  nation  from 
degeneracy,  Greece  at  highest  develop- 
ment of  intelligence  was  still  low  in  life  and 
habits.  Rome  with  all  its  boasted  culture 
grew  degenerate  in  its  moral  practices  and 
finally  fell  to  pieces.  Paris  set  up  a  goddess 
of  Reason  in  the  Notre  Dame  Cathedral,  but 
the  city  went  from  worse  to  still  worse.  Paul 
persecuted  Christians  with  a  good  con- 
science. Women  throw  their  babes  into  the 
Ganges  in  sincere  devotion  to  their  false 
gods.  A  better  guide  must  be  furnished  to 
us  than  any  natural  gift  we  possess;  we 
cannot  do  without  God's  Spirit. 

To  secure  this  guidance  we  must  be  right- 
eous. An  emotional  experience  alone  is  not 
sufficient;  ethics  must  sustain  it.    "He  that 

110 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

doeth  righteousness  is  righteous,  but  he  that 
doeth  sin  is  of  the  devil."  The  kingdom  of 
God  is  "righteousness."  "What  doth  the 
Lord  require  of  thee,  but  to  do  justly?" 
Paul  urged  the  followers  of  Christ  to  "awake 
to  righteousness  and  sin  not."  "Pure  reli- 
gion and  undefiled  before  God  the  Father  is 
this,  to  visit  .  .  .  and  to  keep  himself  un- 
spotted from  the  world." 

Cheyne  tells  us  that  these  are  paths 
"traced  along  the  line  of  divine  standards." 
They  are  a  fixed  measure  by  which  all  other 
righteousness  is  estimated.  In  the  London 
Parliament  Buildings  carefully  shut  away 
are  the  official  commercial  standards  of 
Great  Britain.  Every  twenty  years  they  are 
taken  out,  and  all  the  weights,  yardsticks, 
and  measures  of  the  kingdom  are  tested  by 
them.  So  our  Guide  or  Shepherd  tests  our 
personal  ideas  of  right  and  wrong. 

We  are  followers  of  the  Shepherd  and 
must  frequently  leave  the  "green  grass"  and 
"still  waters"  and  walk  in  the  harder  ways. 

God  wants  man  to  worsJiip  him  with  the 
beauty  of  holiness.  Soul  health  is  mani- 
m 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

fested  by  Christ  likeness.  Slavery  to  sin  ex- 
hibits a  sick  soul.  Man  is  free  and  happy 
only  when  God's  image  shines  out  in  him. 
The  Master's  remedial  work  is  exerted  to 
keep  the  best  in  us  free.  Any  bad  habit  that 
orders  obedience  makes  us  less  a  man. 
Christ  came  not  to  save  us  for  heaven  but  to 
set  us  free  for  high  living  on  earth.  God 
keeps  the  soul  in  order  so  that  we  can  recog- 
nize sin's  effect  and  have  power  to  say  "No." 

The  soul  is  the  ear  that  hears  God.  If  it 
be  dead,  then  are  we  deaf  to  his  directions, 
but  if  alert,  then  we  hear  and  know  his  ways. 
The  psalm  is  logical  in  its  progress.  The 
"grass"  and  "water"  restored  the  soul  and 
are  prepared  for  "leading."  The  "restored" 
soul  gives  us  a  keen  sense  of  the  near- 
ness of  God,  who  guides  us  into  all  truth. 

If  he  leads,  it  will  be  according  to  our 
strength,  and  it  will  be  a  safe  path.  After 
the  Shepherd  has  restored  our  soul  he  can 
lead  us  securely  even  though  the  path  be 
across  the  deserts  and  through  the  moun- 
tains on  narrow  ways.  Some  translate  the 
verb  "leadeth,"  others  "hath  led,"  and  others 

112 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

"will  lead,"  but  whatever  the  form,  "he  fail- 
eth  never." 

His  guidance  is  given  for  his  name's  sake. 
Jehovah  was  Israel's  God.  In  bygone  days 
a  defeat  for  a  particular  nation  meant  rout 
for  the  god  of  that  nation.  When  Rome 
brought  prisoners  back  in  a  triumphal 
march,  the  god,  or  the  symbol  of  that  god, 
of  the  nation  recently  conquered,  led  the 
parade.  The  new  god  was  added  to  the  na- 
tion's collection  with  the  confidence  that  her 
god-power  was  thus  strengthened.  When 
Israel,  therefore,  was  defeated,  Jehovah's 
honor  was  lessened  and  it  was  concluded  that 
his  power  was  limited  and  overturned.  The 
very  name  of  Jehovah  was  thus  at  stake,  in 
the  history  of  Israel's  rise  or  fall.  So  for 
"my  name's  sake"  meant  that  he  must  be 
true  to  the  name  Israel's  faith  gave  him. 
The  shepherd  would  give  his  life  for  the 
sheep,  using  his  power  up  to  that  limit. 

Love  so  rarifies  the  atmosphere  that  we 
can  see  the  face  of  a  loved  one  who  may  be 
thousands  of  miles  away.  We  may  so  love 
Jesus,  the  Christ,  that  using  the  same  repro- 

113 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

ducing  power  we  may  with  our  imagination 
see  his  face.  Bible  pictures  then  throb  with 
life  as  do  letters  from  home  folk. 

The  Father  created  and  furnished  us  to 
hear  and  to  understand  his  directions.  The 
birds  by  instinct  are  led  to  the  Southland, 
though  they  have  never  seen  it,  when  the 
chilling  fall  comes.  He  made  the  birds  and 
us.  Paul  well  urges  us  to  "be  careful  for 
nothing;  but  in  everything  by  prayer  and 
supplication  with  thanksgiving  let  your  re- 
quests be  made  known  unto  God."  "My 
God  shall  supply  all  your  need,"  follows  in 
the  same  chapter  (Phil.  4). 

But  we  have  new  and  better  names  for 
God  than  did  Israel,  To  us  God  is  "Our 
Father,"  Elder  Brother,  Friend,  Saviour, 
Guide.  He  must  be  true  to  those  names,  and 
so  will  lead  us  in  line  with  the  promise  of 
their  meaning.  We  are  not  slaves,  but  sons. 
He  will  reach  his  highest  expression  and  joy 
in  showing  his  glory  through  his  sons.  It 
will  be  as  natural  for  his  life  to  thus  express 
itself  in  beauty  and  strength  when  we  are 
righteous  as  it  is  for  physical  nature  to  show 

114 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

itself  in  blossom  and  fruit  when  nature's  laws 
are  fulfilled. 

We  will  not  be  able  to  secure  full  help  un- 
less we  wear  the  name.  This  is  necessary  so 
that  other  needy  ones  can  trace  the  help  ex- 
hibited in  ripe  disciples.  The  tree  of  life  was 
to  be  in  the  "midst  of  the  street"  (Rev.  22. 
2 ) .  Folks  must  learn  from  our  calmness  and 
graciousness  that  the  grass  and  the  water  do 
refresh  and  sustain.  Knowing  from  our 
profession  that  we  are  the  "sheep  of  His  pas- 
ture," people  will  be  eager  to  find  the  same 
shepherd  and  follow  him. 

He  is  able  to  make  "all  grace  aboimd 
toward  you,  so  that  ye,  always  having  all  suf- 
ficiency in  all  things,  may  abound  to  every 
good  work."  We  may  be  ever  so  evil,  but  he 
is  always  graciously  near,  ready  to  help  when 
we  forsake  sin.  He  will  not  lead  us  too  far 
away  from  the  fold  so  that  it  will  be  impos- 
sible to  return  to  its  felt  security  when  night 
falls  and  strength  is  exhausted.  He  will  be 
as  tender  as  a  mother.  He  will  be  as  quick 
to  help  as  a  father  who  watches  a  developing 
son.    We  may  not  get  all  the  help  a  son 

115 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

might  desire,  for  that  would  make  us  weak- 
lings instead  of  good  soldiers. 

Even  Jesus  cried  out,  ''My  God,  my  God, 
why  hast  thou  forsaken  me?"  The  clouds 
had  hung  heavy  curtains  over  the  sun.  He 
seemed  to  be  all  alone.  We  will  not  always 
walk  on  the  mountain  tops.  It  will  be  hard 
to  realize  that  we  are  being  led  amid  the  try- 
ing places  found  on  some  pathways.  But 
often  the  hardest  things  bring  us  most 
growth  and  profit.  Rutherford  once  said 
that  he  would  "follow  the  shepherd  through 
hell,  putting  faith  to  the  forefront."  If  he 
does  lead  us  in  the  fires  of  hell,  we  can  be  sure 
that  he  will  also  lead  us  through. 

It  is  impossible  to  do  good  or  be  good, 
without  his  leadership;  we  will  miss  the  way. 
"There  is  none  other  name  under  heaven 
given  among  men,  whereby  we  must  be 
saved."  We  are  bewildered  by  a  thousand 
different  intertwining  interests.  He  alone 
can  give  each  one  of  us  personal  wisdom  for 
our  particular  test  time.  We  are  not  good 
or  in  right  paths  if  we  do  not  hear  and  inter- 
pret his  voice  any  more  than  a  soldier  is  effi- 

116 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

cient  if  he  does  not  understand  signals  and 
commands.  An  artist  knows  pictures  of 
worth.  A  sculptor  quickly  identifies  a  nota- 
ble marble  production.  A  musician  appre- 
ciates artistic  musical  renditions.  So  good 
people  hear  and  follow  the  voice  of  the  Good 
Shepherd. 

John  R.  Mott  once  said  that  he  would 
rather  have  a  student  oppose  religion  than 
take  a  merely  placid  attitude  toward  it,  for 
when  the  student  opposes  he  shows  that  he 
counts  the  Christian  religion  as  worthy  of 
consideration. 

The  man  who  buried  the  one  talent  was 
cast  into  outer  darkness.  He  had  lost  the 
abihty  to  estimate  values  and  was  the  same 
as  blind.  He  had  not  used  his  sense  of 
estimating  spiritual  things,  and  it  was  lost 
forever,  and  hence  he  was  really  in  outer 
darkness  as  far  as  this  power  was  concerned. 

The  child  growing  up  in  rich  atmosphere 
of  home  love  gets  a  subtle  but  certain  leader- 
ship from  the  parents.  The  turn  of  the  eye, 
the  lift  of  the  finger,  the  twitch  of  the  face, 
the  twist  of  the  head,  gives  the  signal  of  wish 

117 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

and  will.  A  child  thrills  and  thrives  in  this 
spiritualized  atmosphere  of  the  home.  He 
knows  without  word  of  mouth  what  will 
please  the  parents ;  their  very  love  is  leader- 
ful  to  the  obedient  and  affectionate  child. 
Our  Shepherd  who  leads,  by  love,  enables 
us  at  every  tempting  hour  to  know  his  will. 
We  must  at  all  hazards  retain  the  relation- 
ship of  child  and  parent  toward  our  heav- 
enly Father.  It  is  often  too  sadly  true  that 
we  lose  our  identity  as  God's  folk  and  be- 
come moneybags,  machines  or  automatons. 
On  an  old  tombstone  was  cut  this  inscrip- 
tion, "John  Becker,  born  a  man,  died  a 
grocer."  Men  often  become  "goats"  in 
wandering  self-sufficiency  and  so  no  longer 
hear  the  "voice"  as  His  sheep. 

Perowne  says  concerning  the  clause 
"leadeth  in  the  paths  of  righteousness": 
"This  can  hardly  mean  only  ^straight  paths,' 
as  opposed  to  crooked ;  i.  e.,  as  Ezra  explains 
it,  *He  will  not  make  me  go  over  hills  and 
valleys,  but  on  smooth,  level  ground.'  There 
is  rather  a  blending  of  the  natural  image  with 
its  spiritual  counterpart." 

118 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

We  will  meet  some  problems  that  require 
a  steellike  moral  muscle.  It  is  not  always 
easy  to  be  square  and  honest.  It  calls  out 
our  valor.  He  who  quibbles  and  excuses 
and  dodges  and  squirms  is  not  manly. 
Whedon  says,  "We  must  be  humble  and 
trustful  though  stiff  in  determination.  Right 
paths  are  opposed  to  intricate  and  unsafe 
ways  and  to  ways  of  disobedience  and  per- 
versity." 

We  cannot  be  perfect  except  in  our  pur- 
pose, "Be  ye  perfect,  as  your  heavenly 
Father  is  perfect,"  refers  to  the  context 
which  exalts  his  fairness  in  sending  the  rain 
on  the  evil  and  the  good.  It  is  better  to  have 
the  flaws  of  Peter  than  the  exact  formal 
righteousness  of  the  Pharisees. 

Recognized  weakness  will  lead  us  to  a 
fountain  of  cleansing.  "If  we  walk  in  the 
light,  as  he  is  in  the  light,  we  have  fellow- 
ship one  with  another,  and  the  blood  of 
Jesus  Christ  his  Son  cleanseth  us  from  all 
sin."  Our  eyes  are  then  kept  clear  from 
blurs.  We  are  not  twisted  in  our  judgment 
by  evil  habits.     We  are  not  dominated  by 

119 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

selfishness  or  sensualism.  The  spiritual  has 
the  right  of  way,  and  it  can  transform.  As 
Dr.  Selby  says,  "Christ  made  out  of  a  Cali- 
ban a  Saint  Patrick  and  out  of  an  Amazon- 
ian cannibal  he  brought  a  Saint  Theresa." 
He  has  transformed  drunkards  into  glorious 
preachers.  He  has  lifted  vile  folks  out  of 
pits  of  despair  into  the  pathway  of  holiness. 

We  are  never  free  from  the  twisting  temp- 
tations of  side  paths.  In  Paul's  day,  and 
again  in  Wesley's  day,  and  even  in  our  day, 
there  appeared  a  heretical  teaching.  It 
taught  that  man  was  so  saved  that  he  could 
not  sin.  Professed  disciples  lived  in  adultery 
and  were  drunken  at  the  communion  table  in 
Paul's  time  and  excused  it  by  saying  that 
their  soul  was  unpolluted  since  the  body 
alone  had  sinned  and  they  were  thus  not  re- 
sponsible. The  body  is  always  the  servant  of 
the  soul  which  may  always  be  absolutely  in 
command. 

Sin  saps  strength  and  eats  out  vitality. 
It  unfits  one  to  meet  temptation.  John  R. 
Mott  describes  the  effects  of  a  cyclone  the 
scene  of  which  he  visited:    "Some  trees  were 

120 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

torn  out  by  the  roots,  others  were  bent  over. 
A  few,  however,  were  snapped  straight  off 
because  the  fiber  had  been  eaten  by  disease 
and  could  not  stand  against  the  storm.  How 
hke  sin  in  unfitting  men  for  hfe's  storms!" 
In  my  boyhood  my  father  was  accustomed 
to  lay  aside  good,  straight  hickory  sticks  to 
be  used  when  dry  for  ax  and  hammer 
handles.  Frequently  when  he  took  the  wood 
down  to  work  over  into  handles  he  discov- 
ered that  because  the  bark  had  not  been  re- 
moved, tiny  worms  had  installed  themselves 
and  honeycombed  the  wood  with  tunnels. 

Henry  Drummond  well  said,  ''It  is  better 
to  be  active  than  orthodox''  If  only  correct 
in  belief,  we  may  get  stale  or  become  a  back 
number,  but  a  healthy  soul  keeps  up-to-date. 
A  conviction  is  only  worthf  ul  and  alive  when 
it  drives  to  action.  We  are  to  go  some  place 
and  not  aimlessly  wander.  We  must  not 
rush  beyond  the  leader,  the  Shepherd;  He 
will  keep  sufficiently  far  ahead. 

We  must  at  times  be  patient  plodders.  It 
has  been  difficult  through  the  years  for  prohi- 
bitionists to  bear  with  those  who  did  not  be- 

121 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

lieve  as  they  did.  It  has  been  slow  work  to 
get  folk  to  vote  right.  Jesus,  knowing  man's 
make-up,  refused  to  give  his  decision  con- 
cerning some  moral  questions  because  the 
people  were  not  able  to  stand  the  changes 
but  must  face  the  problem  of  working  out 
their  own  salvation.  Slavery  was  allowed  to 
continue,  wine-drinking  was  practiced  in  the 
church,  but  all  the  time  leaven  was  working 
through  the  lump  that  would  expel  these 
things.  In  the  hf  e-time  of  most  of  us  we  will 
see  national  prohibition.  We  must  be  gentle 
with  those  who  do  not  follow  Christ,  even 
when  we  pray  earnestly  for  them  without 
apparent  results.  His  word  will  not  return 
unto  him  void. 

We  may  he  led  in  a  roundabout  way  when 
we  see  a  direct  pathway  that  would  make  the 
toil  less  strenuous.  Delitzsch  says:  "The 
poet  glories  that  Jahweh  leads  him  carefully 
and  without  risk  or  wandering  in  straight 
paths  leading  to  the  right  goal."  The  steep 
way  might  exhaust  us  too  utterly.  We 
dare  not  be  spent  with  hill-climbing  when  we 
meet  the  wild  beasts.     "He  knoweth  our 

122 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

frame" ;  He  understands  what  we  can  stand. 
It  is  not  the  distance  we  travel  but  the  effect 
upon  our  soul  that  counts.  At  other  times 
the  way  may  be  steep,  difficult  and  trying. 
But  that  too  will  develop  strength  needed 
in  the  contest  with  other  enemies.  Seton- 
Thompson  tells  in  one  of  his  books  the  story 
of  a  wild  sheep,  which  lazily  knelt  to  nibble 
grass.  In  this  way  he  so  stiffened  his  knee 
that  he  was  not  as  nimble  as  the  others  who 
worked  harder  to  get  their  food.  When 
hunters  found  the  flock  this  sheep  as  a  result 
could  not  dodge  from  side  to  side  as  did  the 
others,  and  the  bullet  caught  him. 

We  will  not  be  disappointed  if  we  follow 
the  Shepherd.  "No  good  thing  will  he  with- 
hold from  them  that  walk  uprightly."  If 
we  "seek  first  the  kingdom  of  God  and  his 
righteousness,"  we  will  find  ourselves  appro- 
priating and  enjoying  all  other  needed 
things. 

Sin  is  abnormaL  Righteousness  is  as  nat- 
ural to  us  as  color  to  a  rose,  as  laughter  to 
the  babe,  as  sweetness  to  the  orange,  as 
golden  glow  to  the  sunset. 

123 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

Believers  do  everyday  tasks  in  a  natural 
way.  People  will  not  count  them  odd, 
fanatical,  or  peculiar;  the  sinner  wears  that 
distinction.  They  thought  Jesus  was  a  car- 
penter. Even  after  he  had  risen,  Mary 
called  him  the  gardener.  He  fitted  so  nor- 
mally into  the  beautiful  life  of  service  and 
so  thoroughly  harmonized  with  his  surround- 
ings. 

We  may  be  permitted  to  suffer  betimes  in 
order  that  we  may  be  driven  back  into  right 
ways.  The  child  is  allowed  to  burn  his  fin- 
gers, so  that  he  will  stay  away  from  fire. 
Affliction  is  never  sent  as  a  punishment,  but 
through  it  we  may  be  admonished  and  others 
warned.  We  may  walk  all  roads  confi- 
dently. If  we  must  go  to  Calvary,  the  Shep- 
herd will  go  there  with  us  and  crucifixion 
cannot  rob  us  of  Mount  Pisgah.  We  will 
find  his  way  leading  along  ordinary  roads. 
We  must  do  many  humdrum  things,  but 
amid  all  these  daily  doings  we  will  find  the 
Shepherd. 

There  is  no  easy  way  for  certain  trades  or 
professions.    When  a  student  in  college  it 

124 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

seemed  to  me  that  if  I  could  only  get  into 
the  actual  ministry  I  would  get  away  from 
many  evil  allurements.  But  that  was  a  mis- 
take. Temptations  are  as  severe,  if  not  more 
severe  to  the  minister,  than  to  other  profes- 
sions. God  is  no  respecter  of  persons.  Even 
Jesus  met  the  tempter  and  Luther  in  refer- 
ing  to  temptations  and  denying  that  they 
were  sins  said,  "You  cannot  keep  birds  from 
flying  over  your  head,  but  you  may  stop 
them  from  building  nests  in  your  hair." 

Adam  Clarke  translates  "paths  of  right- 
eousness" "in  the  circuits  or  orbits  of  right- 
eousness." It  is  not  a  single  walled-up  path- 
way. The  believer  is  not  "narrow"  but 
broad-gauged.  Each  must  choose  his  own 
way,  and  that  alone  was  meant  in  the  "nar- 
row' way.  He  may  work  in  any  legitimate 
field  with  God's  call  and  approval  upon  him. 
He  is  as  honorable  as  a  carpenter  as  he  would 
be  as  a  preacher.  He  may  walk  the  "right" 
way  as  certainly  on  the  farm  as  if  a  rich  city 
store  owner.  There  are  many  "paths"  of 
usefulness  open.  It  must  only  be  a 
"straight"   or   "upright"   one.     There   are 

125 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

many  sheep  paths  leading  to  the  fold,  but 
they  all  end  at  the  same  place.  How  foolish 
it  is  for  a  Methodist  or  Baptist,  or  Roman 
CathoHc  to  declare  that  he  alone  knows  the 
guideposts  to  heaven! 

We  forget  our  own  troubles  by  f ellowship- 
ing  with  others  in  the  "way."  Weston,  the 
record  walker,  who  covered  thousands  of 
miles  on  foot,  never  walked  any  place  alone, 
but  would  always  pick  up  a  companion.  So 
we  in  the  pathways  of  righteousness  may 
pick  up  some  one  whom  we  can  help,  or  who 
will  help  us. 

Professor  Cheyne  says:  "'Right  tracks' 
as  opposed  to  delusive  tracks  which  lead  no- 
where/'' Sheep  stray  easily;  so  do  people. 
The  "bad  ways"  do  not  always  diverge 
abruptly.  They  parallel  for  a  time,  then 
gradually  divide.  People  are  surprised  to 
discover  that  they  have  lost  interest  in  the 
church  and  in  religion.  They  do  not  re- 
member exactly  where  it  began.  The 
drinker  and  the  swearer  would  not  at  the 
start  have  believed  that  such  habits  would 
one  day  rule.    Even  the  prodigal  did  not  at 

126 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

first  recognize  his  degradation.  All  kinds 
of  excuses  offer  themselves  for  walking  the 
bypaths;  beware  of  the  delusive  ones  that 
lead  away  from  good  and  God. 

A  celebrated  opera  singer  recently  be- 
moaned the  fact  that  so  many  young  girls 
who  go  on  the  stage  take  what  they  call  the 
"easy  way."  In  the  end  she  affirmed  it  is  the 
"hard  way."    The  wages  of  sin  is  death. 

The  Syrian  Guest  tells  us  that  ofttimes 
the  shepherd  may  make  a  mistake  and  strike 
a  pathway  that  leads  to  a  precipice  over 
which  the  sheep  will  rush  or  fall.  Or  he  may 
pick  a  pathway  which  will  lead  into  a  maze 
of  ways  so  that  they  cannot  find  the  way 
back.  We  must  follow  the  Great  Shepherd, 
then  none  of  these  will  occur. 

Lincoln  insisted  on  taking  the  right  way 
and  was  defeated  for  senator.  Douglas  com- 
promised and  succeeded  then,  but  was  lost 
later  in  the  maze  of  politics  and  missed  use- 
fulness. Going  to  Boston  as  a  green  boy 
from  the  far  West,  who  had  never  been  in  a 
great  city,  I  started  out  one  day  on  a  sight- 
seeing tour.    Suddenly  I  found  that  I  had 

127 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

landed  two  or  three  miles  from  my  point  of 
destination.  The  streets  separated  so  easily 
and  gradually  that  I  was  led  away  before 
knowing  it  and  missed  my  way. 

Wrong  is  never  excusable.  The  Spartan 
parents  taught  their  children  to  show  skill 
and  agility  by  stealing.  If  caught,  they  were 
severely  punished,  and  if  not  they  were  com- 
mended. Evil  invariably  lands  us  in  bad 
roads  that  lead  away  from  the  Shepherd. 

Paul  said,  ''I  exercise  myself,  to  have  al- 
ways a  conscience  void  of  offense"  (Acts 
24.  16).  He  here  used  the  figure  of  the 
athlete.  He  develops  his  sense  of  right  and 
wrong  just  as  the  athlete  develops  muscle  by 
directed  activity.  We  enter  Christ's  school 
and  there  develop  our  moral  nature,  even  as 
a  musician  enters  a  conservatory  in  order  to 
develop  his  musical  talent. 

We  must  guard  our  sensitiveness  against 
the  enameling  of  prejudice  or  the  opiate  of 
habit.  A  farmer  owned  a  dog  which  he 
caned  every  time  it  barked  at  anyone  until 
he  broke  him  of  the  habit.  The  dog  then 
ceased  to  be  of  value;  burglars  came  and 

128 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

carried  away  stock,  and  the  dog,  trained  to 
keep  silent,  did  not  bark.  So  our  conscience 
may  be  whipped  and  denied  a  hearing  until 
it  too  ceases  to  speak  warnings. 

If  we  live  a  normally  good  life,  we  go 
straight  ahead  each  day  until  stopped  by  the 
inner  voice  or  by  some  hindrance.  But  when 
a  blurring  problem  arises  which  presents 
more  than  one  solution  we  need  to  hesitate 
and  meditate.  We  think  it  through  with  our 
best  judgment,  get  all  possible  advice,  re- 
view our  past  experience,  and  exhaust  all 
natural  help.  Adding  to  all  this  a  period  of 
prayer,  we  will  arrive  at  a  conclusion,  act  ac- 
cordingly, and  rest  in  the  assurance  that  the 
Shepherd  is  leading  in  the  path  we  take. 

Keeping  our  fellowship  with  the  Shepherd 
vital,  we  may  be  sure  he  will  lead  us  to  the 
end.  When  Dr.  Nansen  took  his  arctic 
journey,  he  carried  with  him  homing 
pigeons.  After  many  months  his  wife  one 
evening  heard  a  tapping  on  her  window 
pane.  She  opened  the  window  and  there  dis- 
covered a  pigeon  with  a  piece  of  waxed 
paper  wrapped  around  its  leg.    This  slight 

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COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

bird,  weighing  but  one  and  a  half  pounds, 
had  traveled  one  thousand  miles  across  the 
arctic  ice,  and  then  one  thousand  miles  more 
across  the  barren  waste  to  carry  the  message. 
He  who  thus  guides  the  pigeon  will  not  fail 
to  bring  us  home  at  the  last. 

"I  go  to  prove  my  soul! 
I  see  my  way  as  birds  their  trackless  way. 
I  shall  arrive !     What  time,  what  circuit  first, 
I  ask  not :  but  unless  God  sends  his  hail 
Or  blinding  fireballs,  sleet  or  stifling  snow. 
In  some  time,  his  good  time,  I  shall  arrive: 
He  guides  me  and  the  bird.      In  his  good  time! " 


130 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 


CHAPTER  VI 

COMFORT  FOR  SHADOWS  AND 
SORROWS 

"  Yea,  though  I   walk   through  the  valley  of  the 

shadow  of  death,  I  will  fear  no  evil;  for  thou 

art  with  me;  thy  rod  and  thy  staff 

they  comfort  me  " 

There  are  glens  in  Palestine  so  deep  that 
the  sun  reaches  them  for  a  brief  period  only 
at  midday.  They  are  usually  deeply  shad- 
owed. One  must  know  the  pathway  well  to 
walk  through  them.  It  is  possible  that  such 
tunnels  as  have  been  found  in  Damascus  may 
also  have  been  in  the  author's  mind.  One 
has  been  found  which  is  dark  and  damp,  and 
leads  for  some  distance  under  the  hills  until 
it  finally  opens  into  the  beautiful  garden  sur- 
rounding a  wonderful  Oriental  palace. 

All  periods  of  life  have  shadows.  Child- 
hood is  sometimes  spoiled  and  even  the 
future  poisoned  by  stories  told  little  folks  to 

131 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

frighten  them  for  sport,  or  even  to  secure 
obedience.  I  can  well  remember  and  shrink 
yet  at  the  recollection  of  the  recitals  of  In- 
dian massacres  retailed  as  occurring  daily 
near  my  home  town  by  marauding  bands  on 
the  way  to  my  home  town  and  soon  to  arrive. 
My  father  kept  a  hotel,  and  boarders  en- 
joyed seeing  me  shiver  with  fear  as  they  told 
me  the  blood-curdling  Indian  stories.  It  is 
a  shame  to  allow  little  ones  to  be  thus  fright- 
ened. 

Childhood  dreams  are  often  fiercely  real 
and  bring  intense  suffering.  All  of  us 
have  awakened  to  find  chairs  inhabited  by 
various  kinds  of  fearful  beings — "bogies." 
They  disappeared  when  we  heard  the  sweet 
voice  of  mother  or  father  come  through  the 
darkness  with  reassurance.  How  foohsh 
those  early  fears  now  appear !  The  darkness 
has  no  "spooks"  in  it.  The  blue-coated 
policeman  so  avoided  really  loves  children. 
No  sort  of  a  "big"  man  would  dare  cut  off 
our  ears. 

We  often  forgot  that  our  parents  would 
shield  us  in  child  days  to  the  hmit  of  giving 

132 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

their  lives.  "Our  Father"  gave  his  Son 
to  prove  his  love  and  insure  care  over  us. 
Our  daily  fears  will  be  seen  to  be  as  poorly 
grounded  as  they  were  in  childhood  when  we 
"know  as  we  are  known."  If  the  Shepherd 
can  banish  fears  in  the  darkest  hours,  then 
we  need  fear  nowhere  else.  If  we  find  such 
a  shielder,  we  will  be  glad  to  tell  others  of  it. 

Fear  will  face  us.  Trouble  will  test  and 
anxiety  will  bring  anguish.  Tears  will  trace 
our  cheeks.  Sharp  pangs  will  pain  our 
hearts.  Darkness  will  distill  despair.  Beasts 
will  beset  us  on  every  side.  Robbers  will 
steal  our  riches  and  ruin  our  reposeful  medi- 
tations. Jagged,  jutting  rocks  will  bruise 
our  bodies.  We  must  expect  all  this  and 
more.  We  cannot  repose  in  the  "green 
grass"  always.  We  will  have  the  "still 
waters"  when  needed.  There  will  be 
strength  for  the  "paths  of  righteousness." 
The  Shepherd  has  promised  it. 

When  darkness  falls  eyes  are  of  little 
avail.  When  the  valley  is  entered  the  dan- 
gerous steps  cannot  be  measured  nor  the 
hidden  enemies  all  be  guarded  against.  Our 

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COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

own  natural  resources  are  of  little  avail.  We 
must  go  slowly  and  uncertainly,  not  know- 
ing what  a  moment  may  bring  forth.  The 
nerves  are  taut.  The  heart  beats  rapidly. 
The  eyes  burn  from  straining  into  the  un- 
hghted  future.  The  limbs  tremble  from 
feeling  their  way  along  uncertain  pathways. 
Then,  indeed,  do  we  need  relief  and  com- 
posure.   It  too  comes  from  the  Shepherd. 

MacLaren  says:  "Life  has  another  aspect 
than  these  two — ^rest  and  toil;  ("grass, 
waters,  paths")  and  the  guidance  in  danger 
and  sorrow  is  as  tender  as  its  other  forms 
are."  We  will  be  companioned  and  cared  for 
in  life's  saddening  experiences  even  down  to 
its  darkest,  the  grave.  My  daytime  experi- 
ences with  the  Shepherd  insure  calmness 
when  the  sun  is  dimmed  or  the  night  is  on. 

Jesus  tasted  terrifying  loneliness  and 
agonizing  pain  in  a  real  "valley  of  shadows," 
the  garden  of  Gethsemane.  He  walked 
through  it  bravely,  though  his  flesh  shrank, 
and  passed  through  the  tomb  to  glory.  He 
understands  and  has  the  power  to  lead  us 
through, 

134 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

Bunyan  placed  the  "Valley"  early  in  life's 
experience.  Adam  Clarke  gives  a  good 
paraphrase:  "Though  I  as  one  of  the  flock 
should  walk  through  the  most  dismal  valley, 
in  the  dead  of  the  night,  exposed  to  pitfalls, 
precipices,  devouring  beasts,  etc.,  I  should 
fear  no  evil  under  the  guidance  and  protec- 
tion of  such  a  Shepherd." 

J.  M.  Mason  says  of  the  phrase,  that  it 
"does  not  signify  dying;  for  it  is  not  the 
valley  of  death,  but  of  the  shadow  of  death, 
and  the  shadow  of  an  object  cannot  be  the 
same  thing  with  the  object  itself."  Plum- 
mer  quotes  Ainsworth  as  saying  that  this 
phrase  is  the  same  as  ''immanent  danger, 
Jer.  2.  6;  sore  affliction,  Psa.  44.  19;  Psa. 
107.  10,  14;  fea7'  and  terror.  Job  24.  17; 
and  dreadful  darkness.  Job  10.  21-22." 
Scott  is  quoted  by  Plummer  as  saying,  "Be- 
tween that  part  of  the  flock  which  is  on  earth, 
and  that  which  is  gone  to  heaven,  death  lies 
like  a  deep  valley,  that  must  be  passed  in 
going  from  the  one  to  the  other." 

Delitzsch  renders  it,  "Even  when  he 
passes  through  a  valley  dark  and  gloomy 

135 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

as  the  shadow  of  death,  where  surprises  and 
calamities  of  every  kind  threaten  him,  he 
fears  no  misfortune."  Cheyne  says:  "Hades 
gloom  (literally  'shadow  of  death'  i.  e.,  of 
Hades)  may  mean  either  *gloom  like  that 
of  Hades,'  or  'the  very  gloom  of  Hades.'  " 
Perowne  says:  "Shadow  of  death,  or  simply 
Dark  shadow."  Briggs  translates  it:  "Yea, 
when  I  walk  in  a  gloomy  ravine." 

The  "Syrian  Guest"  speaks  of  two  known 
valleys  called  "The  Valley  of  Robbers"  and 
"The  ravine  of  the  ravens."  MacLaren  ren- 
ders it  "  'Gloomy  darkness,'  such  for  in- 
stance, as  in  the  shaft  of  a  mine  (Job  28. 
3) ."  The  experience  does  not  depict  merely 
the  death  hours,  but  it  gives  promise  for  all 
dark  and  mysterious  experiences  fraught 
with  danger,  fright  or  sorrow. 

Youth's  days  are  sunny.  Vision  plans 
have  not  yet  been  spoiled  by  failures.  Dis- 
couraging doubts  do  not  darken  the  horizon. 
Spontaneous,  bubbling  youth  quickly 
brushes  aside  obstacles.  The  child  plays  out 
of  doors  while  the  mother  lies  a  corpse  in  the 
parlor.    The  boy  eats  the  last  crust  of  bread 

136 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

with  greedy  glee.  Other  children  envy  the 
one  taken  with  a  dangerous  disease. 

A  little  girl  in  Minneapolis  saved  her 
father,  a  discouraged  business  man,  from 
suicide.  She  remarked  on  seeing  the  ruined 
business  house  covered  with  icicles  after  the 
fire,  "O  papa,  I  saw  your  store  to-day,  and 
it  was  so  beautiful  with  the  ice  all  over  it." 
Her  optimism  cleared  his  mind  and  hope 
revived,  and,  with  fresh  courage  for  the 
fight,  he  won  out  instead  of  taking  his  life, 
as  he  had  planned. 

But  simpletons  who  remain  children  be- 
cause of  mental  food  or  soft  living  laugh 
away  danger  lightly  when  they  should  learn 
lessons  and  walk  cautiously.  We  are  not 
to  have  the  shallow  confidence  of  the 
thoughtless,  but  the  loyal  solidity  of  the  sol- 
dier of  righteousness. 

Death  would  often  be  more  welcome 
than  to  be  compelled  to  walk  through  some 
of  lifers  experiences.  The  sane  man  who 
suicides  can  have  no  place  in  heaven;  a  cow- 
ard cannot  live  there ;  he  lacks  the  necessary 
character.     We  must  have  the  courage  to 

137 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

grapple  with  any  problem  that  presents 
itself  and  get  character  results  out  of  it.  So 
we  must  be  willing  to  go  through  our  "val- 
ley"; we  will  not  stop  in  it.  The  mother 
takes  back  her  wayward  daughter,  even 
though  disgrace  is  freshened,  rather  than  dis- 
own her.  The  father  waits  at  the  prison  door 
for  his  son,  and  at  any  cost  endeavors  to 
make  a  new  man  of  him.  Some  dishonoring 
sin  may  send  us  to  hide  in  the  lonely  hills; 
then  we  must  walk  back  through  the  valley 
that  leads  to  the  straight  path. 

Old  age  brings  many  depressing  hours 
that  call  for  the  shepherd.  Loneliness  chills 
to  the  very  core  of  the  heart.  PhilUps 
Brooks  was  an  old  bachelor  and  bemoaned 
the  fact.  In  later  years,  when  friends  visited 
him  he  constantly  urged  that  they  remain 
longer,  saying  that  he  could  not  bear  to  be 
alone. 

Some  one  remarks  that  ''shadows"  cannot 
hurt  us.  Another  adds  that  where  there  is  a 
shadow  the  substance  must  be  near.  What- 
ever we  conclude,  it  is  nevertheless  true  that 
shadows  break  the  spirit,  blind  the  eyes,  and 

138 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

burden  the  heart.  Hopes  become  leaden, 
thoughts  sluggish,  and  activity  mechanical. 
Many  men  are  driven  to  drink  in  an  effort 
to  lift  depression.  Jesus  was  offered 
drugged  wine  on  the  cross  after  crying  out, 
"My  God,  my  God,  why  hast  thou  forsaken 
me?"  It  was  an  opiate,  and  he  refused  the 
potion.  Others  tempted  in  the  same  way 
have  accepted  it.  The  Good  Shepherd  will 
give  a  better  inspiriter. 

It  is  more  difficult  to  endure  the  shadow  of 
an  unseen  and  intangible  danger  of  small 
proportions  than  it  is  to  face  squarely  a  much 
greater  one.  The  nerve  strain  under  the 
realization  that  any  moment  a  beast  may  fly 
at  us  or  an  enemy  assault  us  is  indescribable. 
The  quiet  preceding  a  storm  often  causes  a 
horse  to  run  away  which  would  ploddingly 
endure  the  full  break  upon  its  head.  Worry 
wears  out  many  more  people  than  do  ac- 
tual misfortunes.  Whatever  threatens,  the 
Shepherd  leads  the  way  and  guards  securely. 

There  are  many  varieties  of  valleys.  It 
may  be  the  lonely  wearing  one  of  ill  health. 
How  many  go  down  into  this  ravine  and  lose 

139 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

heart  even  to  desperation.  A  weak  body,  a 
chronic  aihnent,  an  unfinished  task  combine 
to  burden  us.  Jonah  grieved  over  the  col- 
lapse of  his  preconceived  prejudices  and 
plans  and  sat  in  complaining  gloom  until 
physical  discomfort  awakened  him  to  the 
presence  of  many  blessings.  Elijah,  count- 
ing over-much  on  the  exhibitions  and  neces- 
sity of  material  power,  sat  under  the  juniper 
tree  in  the  glumness  of  the  blues  when  it 
failed  to  reappear  until  the  voice  divine 
spoke  and  led  him  through  the  valley  of  en- 
riching experiences. 

Slights  are  heaped  upon  us  that  cut  pride 
and  wound  us  deeply  with  their  utter  unfair- 
ness. False  accusations  are  uttered  by  our 
supposed  friends.  Folks  once  loyal  neglect 
us  when  storms  turn  some  of  our  ships  of 
promise  into  wrecks.  One  may  be  disgraced 
as  the  son  of  evil-acting  and  unworthy  par- 
ents. Dishonor  may  be  brought  upon  us  by 
the  criminal  deeds  of  a  near  relative.  Dear 
ones  drain  our  strength  by  drawing  out  our 
sympathy  through  their  continual  sufferings 
and  great  losses.    Doctors'  bills  as  well  as 

140 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

physical  weakness  wreck  carefully  laid  plans. 
Some  men  are  then  tempted  to  blame  God 
and  cease  following.  Or  they  take  their 
case  away  from  him  and  put  it  into  the  care 
of  some  new  and  foolish  "ism."  Or  they 
grow  morose  and  sour  and  darken  with 
doubting  complaint  every  place  they  go. 
These  also  are  "valleys." 

We  become  impatient  over  the  slow 
growth  of  aided  individuals,  and  the  small 
harvest  from  earnest  efforts  devoted  along 
the  line  of  service.  Our  own  ugliness  is  so 
slowly  eradicated;  distorting  outbreaks  are 
too  frequent.  Erroneous  arguments  lead  us 
to  wrong  conclusions.  We  allow  the  state- 
ment that  "the  end  justifies  the  means"  to 
command  us.  In  our  over  eagerness  to  suc- 
ceed it  becomes  easy  to  betray  or  forget  a 
friend.  All  of  these  things  are  but  beasts  in 
the  valley  which  would  spring  upon  us  unless 
we  are  alert  and  well  guarded. 

How  staggering  is  the  heart  stab  caused 
by  some  disgraces!  As  a  student  I  supplied 
a  charge  for  a  few  weeks  where  a  beautiful 
woman  of  the  community  came  to  me  with  a 

141 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

broken  heart.  She  had  lived  there  helpfully 
many  years  and  had  grown  into  rare  and 
sane  holiness.  Suddenly  her  treasured  niece 
was  reported  ruined  and  ran  away  from  the 
community.  In  agony  she  cried  out,  "Why 
should  this  disgrace  come  upon  me?"  A 
young  man  came  to  me  with  undoubted  evi- 
dence of  the  unfaithfulness  of  his  sweet  and 
beautiful  wife.  Can  anyone  imagine  any- 
thing more  terrible  ?  At  such  unexplainable 
times  we  must  trustfully  "follow." 

A  well-known  ex-governor,  who  came 
near  being  the  United  States  senator  from 
his  State,  for  years  aided  the  liquor  inter- 
ests. One  terrible  night  he  was  discovered 
drunk  in  an  evil  resort;  the  disgrace  was 
breaking  his  heart.  A  humble  Methodist  cir- 
cuit rider  wrote  him  a  letter  which  said:  "In 
this  your  time  of  disgrace  the  Good  Shep- 
herd can  lead  you  out  of  the  valley."  The 
minister  closed  an  earnest  appeal  to  give  his 
life  to  Christ  by  begging  pardon  for  writing 
to  the  ex-governor  about  his  religious  life. 
The  reply  came:  "You  are  the  first  minister 
who  ever  thus  appealed  to  me  on  the  subject 

142 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

of  personal  religion,  though  I  have  known 
scores  of  them.  Come  and  talk  to  me  about 
it  at  once."  The  humble  pastor  thus  led 
the  ex-governor  to  Christ,  and  he  immedi- 
ately joined  forces  with  the  Anti- Saloon 
League  to  drive  the  saloon  out  of  the  State 
where  once  he  had  aided  it.  And  so  he 
came  out  of  the  valley.  The  agony  of  his 
published  sin  brought  him  to  his  knees.  It 
may  be  some  other  exhibition  of  our  frailty 
that  brings  us  to  obedience. 

When  death  strikes  at  us  with  its  fierce 
terror  it  is  like  finger  nails  tearing  our  eyes. 
It  seizes,  ruthlessly,  the  very  nerves  of  our 
heart.  Night  seems  to  settle  forever  when 
father,  mother,  sister,  brother,  child,  or 
friend  closes  his  eyes  in  death.  You  won- 
der how  the  birds  could  sing  at  such  a  time. 
A  smile  on  a  face  seems  like  a  sign  of  in- 
sanity. Death  would  be  welcome,  since  then 
you  might  follow  the  loved  one.  Your  child's 
last  cry  drew  you  away  from  the  Shepherd 
into  rebellious  side  paths,  where  you  found 
only  a  bloodthirsty  jaguar  ready  to  spring 
at  the  throat  and  strangle  forever  faith  in 

143 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

the  Father.  Who  is  able  to  describe  the 
valley  where  the  hearts  aching  with  sorrow 
walk?  Let  nature's  tears  fall;  they  may 
mellow  the  soul  for  a  fruitage  that  will  help 
other  weeping  ones. 

Can  there  be  a  sufficient  strength  for  these 
hours?  Col.  Booth-Tucker  was  speaking  at 
a  memorial  service  for  his  wife  who  had  been 
killed  in  a  railroad  accident  and  left  him  with 
three  small  children.  He  said:  "Some  time 
ago  in  this  city  I  pleaded  with  a  man  to  give 
his  heart  to  Christ.  He  answered  back :  'Do 
you  think  I  could  love  a  God  like  the  one 
pictured  to  me?  Could  you  love  God  if  he 
had  taken  your  wife  away  from  you  and 
left  you  with  three  small  children!'  "  Then 
Col.  Booth-Tucker  raised  himself  with  a  new 
light  in  his  eye  and  said:  "If  that  man  is  in 
the  audience,  let  me  tell  him  that  I  love  the 
God  who  took  away  my  wife  and  left  me 
with  three  little  ones,  and  he  is  dearer  to  me 
than  ever  before." 

An  old  Scotchman  lay  dying.  Physical 
pain  had  for  a  moment  dimmed  his  faith  in 
Christ.    His  old  pastor  said  to  him:  "Do  you 

144 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

not  remember,  Sandy,  when  you  led  the 
sheep  through  the  valleys,  that  ofttimes  they 
were  shadowed,  but  that  you  kept  strong 
and  cheery,  knowing  that  there  was  light  a 
little  farther  on  and  that  the  very  light 
caused  the  shadows?  So,  Sandy,  these  sha- 
dows in  your  faith  are  caused  by  the  light 
which  is  farther  on  and  which  will  break  on 
you  shortly."  Sandy  saw  it  and  was  cheered 
and  rested  as  he  went  into  the  shadow  of 
death. 

"Fear  no  eviV  is  the  next  assurance.  Evil 
is  abundant  and  everywhere  strong;  its  exist- 
ence is  not  denied.  We  must  be  on  our 
guard.  It  will  depress  us,  disease  us,  deceive 
us,  delay  us,  disgrace  us  if  it  does  not  bring 
us  to  eternal  death.  We  can  be  fearless  of 
it  only  when  the  Shepherd  is  with  us. 

Oliver  Huckel  says,  "When  all  is  pros- 
perous, we  talk  about  God;  when  death 
draws  nigh,  we  talk  to  Him."  Men  pray  in 
dire  need  who  ridicule  it  at  other  times.  The 
raging  storm  on  ocean  ship  brings  all  to  their 
knees.  The  low  heart  beat  of  some  dear  sick 
one  calls  out  a  pleading  petition  coupled 

145 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

with  promises  of  amendment,  which,  alas! 
too  often  are  broken. 

Sufficient  grass  was  provided  by  the  shep- 
herd so  that  in  its  strength  sheep  could  go 
through  the  valley  and  on  to  other  pasture 
fields ;  if  the  sheep  fainted  then  his  wisdom 
was  short.  But  Our  Shepherd's  foresight 
has  already  provided  in  this  Psalm  for  every 
need  of  the  valley. 

A  little  lad  had  great  difficulty  in  learning 
the  Shepherd  Psalm.  He  finally  succeeded 
by  giving  each  finger  a  word.  A  sudden 
sickness  fell  upon  him  and  soon  he  slipped 
over  into  the  other  pasture  lands.  His 
thumb  would  follow  the  fingers  as  he  recited 
the  psalm.  When  he  had  gone  they  found 
the  thumb  pressed  upon  the  fourth  finger — 
"my"  Shepherd.  It  explained  the  smile  as 
he  fell  asleep. 

We  grow  as  we  endure.  Some  years  ago 
a  company  of  women  who  were  studying  the 
Bible  came  upon  the  passage,  "He  shall  sit 
as  a  refiner  and  purifier  of  gold."  They 
visited  an  expert  smelter  of  gold  and  were 
told  that  not  only  must  gold  go  through  the 

146 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

hottest  fire,  but  that  it  was  pure  only  when  it 
perfectly  reflected  the  refiner's  image.  Our 
patient  endurance  under  trial  may  purify  us 
until  it  will  reflect  his  image. 

Stephen  stood  true  under  the  flying  rocks 
that  crushed  out  his  life.  Through  the 
broken  body  came  the  light  of  his  "faith" 
which  burned  a  remorse  into  the  intelligent 
persecutor  Saul,  that  brought  temporary 
blindness.  Paul  was  then  permitted  for  a 
period  to  be  utterly  forsaken  in  Damascus, 
where  he  was  feared  by  the  believers  and 
spurned  by  his  former  helpers.  But  this 
darkness  only  made  the  coming  light  of  faith 
more  brilliant.  When  he  had  proved  his 
sincerity  and  tested  his  own  faith  in  Christ, 
in  due  time  Ananias,  a  helper,  came  with  the 
human  contact  and  message,  "Brother 
Paul,"  that  opened  his  eyes. 

Joseph  was  sold  into  slavery,  and  tested 
sorely  in  Potiphafs  household.  But  he  was 
thus  purified,  proved  his  loyalty,  and  tried 
out  his  own  faith.  Thus  he  established  his 
fitness  to  be  the  prime  minister  of  Egypt 
and  so  ultimately  saved  his  people,  Israel. 

147 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

Abraham  was  not  checked  until  he  had 
raised  the  hand  to  strike  his  son,  the  hope 
of  his  hfe,  dead.  He  there,  however,  re- 
vealed a  faith  which  could  be  the  foundation 
for  the  greatest  and  only  enduring  nation  in 
the  world. 

Under  the  experietices  of  the  "valley"  we 
will  learn  that  the  Shepherd  is  a  personal 
one,  "He  maketh  me  to  lie  down"  was  the 
first  phrase.  "Thou  art  with  me"  is  the  more 
intimate  form  now  framed.  So  when  we 
come  to  him  in  this  closer  way  we  will  fear  no 
evil.  I  well  remember  a  young  matried 
woman  uncomforted  when  her  devotedly 
loved  husband  died.  She  had  once  been  a 
devout  Christian,  but  had  become  a  Christian 
Scientist.  They  told  her  that  "her  husband 
had  'passed  on.' "  This  was  indefinite. 
There  was  no  future  time  of  meeting,  there 
was  no  exact  thing,  except  that  he  had 
"passed  on."  In  the  terror  of  her  agony  she 
cried  out,  "There  is  no  consolation  in  this." 
It  was  only  hard  and  bitter  to  her  taste.  She 
longed  for  a  personal  shepherd. 

The  near  sheep  often  get  the  blow  that  is 

148 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

needed  to  warn  the  whole  flock,  Jesus  suf- 
fered for  our  sake.  We  are  to  fill  up  his  suf- 
ferings ;  that  is,  to  warn  others  by  suffering 
uncomplainingly  and  redemptively.  The 
early  preachers  endured  hunger  and  cold  to 
bring  warnings  against  sin  to  careless 
pioneer  settlements,  and  so  saved  them.  The 
missionaries  die  in  the  effort  to  stop  the  de- 
gradation caused  by  heathenism  and  sow  the 
seed  of  the  Kingdom ;  their  sacrifices  are  un- 
answerable to  the  scoffing  world.  Ministers 
have  been  shot  down  because  of  opposition 
to  the  saloon  and  so  showed  the  murder  in 
the  heart  of  the  "beast."  But  no  one  ever 
suffered  for  the  right  without  redeeming 
some  one.  "Blessed  are  ye  when  men  shall 
revile  you,  and  persecute  you,  and  say  all 
manner  of  evil  against  you  falsely,  for  my 
sake."  Love  that  has  supplied  all  the  needs 
up  until  the  "valley,"  will  not  forsake  us  in 
it.  We  need  only  take  a  step  at  a  time.  The 
enemy  cannot  shut  up  the  way  of  escape. 

Some  years  ago,  when  a  pastor  in  Denver, 
after  much  effort  while  calling,  the  author 
succeeded  in  getting  into  a  httle  back  room, 

149 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

where  lived  an  aged  woman,  seriously  ill. 
She  tried  at  once  to  appear  well,  but  finally 
admitted  that  her  illness  was  a  grievous  one. 
I  concluded  that  she  needed  an  operation 
and  suggested  it.  She  said,  "No.  I  have  been 
running  away  from  it."  Finally,  after  pray- 
ing together,  she  said,  "Perhaps  God  has 
sent  you."  I  agreed  to  get  the  best  surgeon 
in  the  West,  a  consistent  Christian  man. 
She  went  to  a  hospital,  and  I  prayed  with  her 
just  before  the  operation.  She  went  into 
the  valley  of  an  unknown  outcome  conscious 
that  the  Shepherd  was  near  to  succor.  The 
surgeon  took  away  a  forty-pound  tumor  even 
though  she  was  past  sixty  years  of  age.  He 
insisted  that  the  success  of  the  operation  was 
almost  a  miracle.  Later  she  said  that  it  was 
only  because  she  was  conscious  of  the  Shep- 
herd's presence,  who  removed  all  fear,  that 
she  came  safely  through  the  ordeal.  Years 
after  she  was  still  living  in  a  healthy  and 
happy  old  age.  Later  a  group  of  great  sur- 
geons met  in  New  York  and  the  chief  sub- 
ject of  discussion  was  "A  New  Method  for 
Avoiding  Mental  Shock."    Operations  were 

150 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

often  unsuccessful,  they  concluded,  because 
of  the  shock  to  the  nervous  system  which  fear 
induced,  and  it  was  held  that  if  that  could  be 
removed,  success  would  come  more  fre- 
quently. The  Shepherd  can  remove  that 
fear. 

Elijah's  servant  ceased  trembling  before 
the  imposing  enem/y-arniy  when  he  saw  the 
defending  angels,  Jesus  was  calm  in  the 
presence  of  his  accusers  because  he  knew 
that  they  could  not  hurt  him  then.  The 
martyrs  smiled  as  they  entered  the  flames 
which  ate  up  their  bodies,  realizing  that  the 
fire  could  not  touch  their  souls.  The  Ger- 
mans could  not  frighten  with  their  fiendish 
methods,  for  the  Allies  were  led  by  ideals 
which  could  not  be  reached  by  carnal  weap- 
ons; death  to  such  soldiers  was  a  mere  inci- 
dent. Jesus  said,  "Fear  not  them  which  kill 
the  body,  but  .  .  .  fear  him  which  is  able  to 
destroy  both  soul  and  body  in  hell."  The 
composure  of  faith  renders  us  invulnerable. 
We  are  walking  through^  not  camping  in,  the 
"valley,"  or  even  walking  regularly  in  it. 
We  go  from  one  green  pasture  to  another; 

151 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

the  "valley"  is  a  temporary  experience. 
Even  death  is  but  a  shadow  to  the  believer. 

David  had. a  keen  sense  of  God's  nearness 
and  hence  had  no  fear  in  the  presence  of  the 
giaiit.  This  feeling  of  confidence  enabled 
him  to  remain  cool  in  the  combat  and  to  de- 
tect the  vulnerable  point  in  his  antagonist. 
Israel  failed  to  count  upon  the  power  in  the 
pillar  of  fire  by  night  and  in  the  "cloud"  by 
day.  Shall  we  fail  to  reckon  as  an  asset  the 
presence  of  the  Good  Shepherd?  Wesley 
lay  dying.  His  associates  eagerly  listened 
for  the  last  word,  and  it  came  as  the  secret  of 
his  fearless  and  splendidly  helpful  life.  It 
was,  "The  best  of  all  is,  God  is  with  us,"  and 
so  he  fell  asleep. 

''Thy  rod  and  thy  staff/"  Fear  cannot  be 
scolded  out  of  people.  It  is  f  oohsh  to  punish 
children  for  being  afraid.  We  must  demon- 
strate the  harmlessness  of  the  dark  room. 
Faith  crowds  out  fear  as  light  does  darkness. 
Remember  who  leads  and  the  sweetness  of 
safety  gives  the  heart  comfort.  ^^VTien  we 
are  obedient  we  may  confidently  say,  "Thou 
art  with  me."    What  fear  can  I  then  have? 

152 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

All  of  us  have  whistled  to  keep  up  our  cour- 
age through  a  deep  woods  or  along  the  edge 
of  a  cemetery.  Amid  all  life's  terrors  we 
need  only  sing,  "Thou  art  with  me"  until 
the  stillness  of  peace  possesses  us.  He  will 
come  to  us  on  the  waves. 

The  staff  was  Christ's  insignia  of  office 
as  the  Son  of  God.  He  could  be  victoriously 
calm  in  the  very  presence  of  death.  If  he 
could  conquer  the  grave,  then  he  can  con- 
quer every  impediment  that  leads  up  to  the 
resurrection.  He  who  bears  this  staff  is  our 
Shepherd  and  our  Saviour.  Friends  can  go 
with  us  to  the  verge  of  death,  but  he  alone 
can  go  through  it.  That  is  the  promise  of 
the  "Staff." 

The  rod  was  the  emblem  of  authority. 
Love  gives  orders.  Obedience  is  necessary. 
The  rod  was  used  to  number  the  sheep  as 
they  passed  under  it.  It  was  also  employed 
to  administer  needed  correction  that  would 
bring  a  lesson.  John  D.  Freeman  in  the 
book  Life  on  the  Uplands  tells  us  that  he 
once  heard  of  a  Scottish  shepherd  who  delib- 
erately broke  the  leg  of  a  tameless  lamb,  one 

153 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

which  he  could  not  control.  Then  he  care- 
fully set  the  leg  and  carried  the  lamb  in  his 
arms.  When  the  lamb  was  completely 
healed,  he  followed  gladly  and  trustingly. 
In  his  suffering  he  had  found  out  the  heart 
of  love  of  the  shepherd  and  so  was  eager  to 
obey.  Our  rod  may  lead  us  to  see  the  heart 
of  the  Good  Shepherd. 

We  may  walk  well  poised  and  aggressive 
in  a  forward  leading  path-way  even  though 
it  be  dark.  There  is  no  upsetting,  no  pur- 
poseless running,  no  staggering,  no  hesi- 
tancy; we  go  straight  onward.  In  God's 
good  time  we  shall  arrive. 

We  are  ready  to  rally  at  the  distress  cry  of 
the  rest  of  the  flock.  The  "Syrian  Guest" 
tells  us  that  often  when  a  wolf  attacks  the 
sheep  the  individuals  will  get  excited  and 
scatter  in  blind  terror  so  that  many  are  killed. 
When  the  shepherd  encounters  such  an  at- 
tack he  will  immediately  find  an  elevated 
spot  and  call  out  a  familiar  sound  that  will 
lead  them  to  rush  quickly  to  a  common  spot 
around  him.  This  will  either  crush  the  wolf, 
or  drive  him  from  the  flock  with  fear  and 

154 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

defeat.  So  we,  finding  a  poor  fellow  at- 
tacked anew  by  drink,  will  not  forsake  him, 
but  will  rally  to  his  help  until  the  devils  again 
fly.  When  a  woman  slips  into  the  old  path- 
way of  sin  we  do  not  say  "I  told  you  so,"  but, 
rather,  respond  to  the  call  of  the  Shepherd, 
who  will  be  found  by  her  side,  to  help  and 
deliver. 

We  will  never  dare  to  be  harder  on  others 
than  we  expect  our  Lord  to  he  upon  us.  In 
Beside  the  Bonnie  Briar  Bush,  Lachlan 
Campbell,  in  his  stiff  notion  of  justice, 
moved  that  his  daughter's  name,  "Flora," 
be  stricken  from  the  church  records  when  she 
went  astray.  Margaret  Howe,  whose  son, 
the  "lad  of  pairts,"  had  died,  visited  him  to 
find  that  he  had  crossed  "Flora's"  name  off 
the  Bible  record,  and  said  to  him:  "Wae's  me 
if  our  Father  had  blotted  out  oor  names  f rae 
the  Book  o'  Life  when  we  left  his  hoose. 
But  he  sent  his  ain  Son  to  seek  us,  an'  a 
weary  road  he  cam,  a'  tell  ye.  A  man  wadna 
leave  a  sheep  to  perish  as  ye  hae  cast  off  yir 
ain  bairn.  Yir  worse  than  Simon  the  Phari- 
see, for  Mary  was  nae  kin  tae  him."     The 

155 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

truth  struck  home,  and  he  sent  for  and  wel- 
comed the  straying  girl  in  a  heart-warmed 
home,  and  so  finally  acted  like  an  under- 
shepherd. 

The  rod  and  staff  were  reminders  of  the 
shepherd.  All  reminders  of  Jesus  and  his 
work  are  the  same  as  the  rod  and  staff  were 
to  the  folk  familiar  with  shepherds.  It  may 
be  the  Bible,  the  communion  service,  the 
testimony  meeting.  It  may  be  a  letter  from 
mother,  an  old  gospel  song,  a  Scripture  text, 
a  thrilhng  memory  of  sweet  youth,  or  a  dozen 
different  things.  All  are  but  remembrances 
of  the  Good  Shepherd. 

We  can  go  through  anything  if  he  is  with 
us,  A  poor  woman  about  to  undergo  an 
operation  in  a  hospital  felt  sure  she  would 
die,  and  the  chances  were  really  against  her 
recovery.  Finally,  however,  she  said,  "I  can 
endure  it  if  Lady  Augusta  Stanley  can  sit 
and  hold  my  hand."  The  latter  did  so,  and 
the  woman  recovered. 

One  day  during  the  Civil  War  a  man  was 
passing  through  a  soldiers'  hospital  ward, 
when  a  boy  reached  up  his  emaciated  hand 

156 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

and  in  a  weak  voice  said,  "Will  you  not  come 
and  write  a  letter  to  my  mother?"  Though 
hurried  much,  the  great  man  stopped  and 
wrote  the  letter.  When  it  was  finished  the 
lad  said,  "Won't  you  sit  by  me  and  hold 
my  hand  until  it  is  over?  It  will  only  be  a 
minute,  or  two."  And  then  the  big-hearted 
President,  for  it  was  Abraham  Lincoln,  sat 
down  again  and  held  the  lad's  hand  while  he 
walked  on  through  the  valley,  and  when 
death  had  received  him,  the  President  folded 
the  cold  hands  and  left  him.  And  so  he  was 
the  "staff"  for  the  lad. 

The  poet  Heine  went  into  the  hospital  an 
atheist,  but  six  months  of  suffering  there  led 
him  to  find  the  hand  and  the  heart  of  the 
Good  Shepherd.  Talmage  tells  us  that  when 
bees  were  sent  to  the  Barbados  and  found 
it  a  year-round  summer  land  they  ceased 
storing  honey  and  spent  their  time  stinging 
the  natives. 

Be  of  good  cheer — he  will  not  leave  you 
comfortless.  You  cannot  mistake  your  way. 
Suppose  it  is  dark — ^he  is  near.  You  will 
soon  come  out  into  the  open  again.    Dangers 

157 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

may  be  thick,  but  he  will  see  that  no  injury- 
befalls  you.  Fear  not.  Love  and  lean  hard. 
He  will  not  fail.  In  every  valley  and 
night  his  comfort  will  sustain  and  satisfy 
the  heart. 


158 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 


CHAPTER  VII 

SECURITY  FROM  SIN'S 
ASSAULTS 

"  Thou  preparest  a  table  before  me  in  the  presence 
of  mine  enemies  " 

Oliver  Huckel  insists  that  the  Protector 
here  is  no  longer  the  shepherd,  but  a  host 
with  human  beings  at  his  table.  It  is,  some 
assert,  the  prefigurement  of  Christ  sitting  as 
host  at  the  passover  table,  which  became  the 
Lord's  supper,  while  his  enemies  plot  to  de- 
stroy him.  J.  R.  Miller  quotes  George 
Adam  Smith  as  saying  concerning  the  pre- 
ceding verses :  "If  these  show  us  the  shepherd 
with  his  sheep,  upon  the  pastures,  those  fol- 
low him,  shepherd  still,  to  where  in  his  tent 
he  dispenses  the  desert's  hospitality  to  some 
poor  fugitive  from  blood.  The  shepherd's 
tent  in  the  wilderness  was  a  little  sanctuary, 
where  the  hunted  man  was  sure  of  shelter, 
where  'every  wanderer,'  whatever  his  char- 

159 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

acter  or  past  might  be,  was  received  as  the 
guest  of  God — such  is  the  beautiful  name 
which  they  still  give  him — furnished  with 
food  and  kept  inviolable,  his  host  becoming 
responsible  for  his  safety." 

Elijah  P.  Rrown  seems  to  agree  with 
Briggs  and  Huckel,  for  he  says:  "No  sheep 
can  look  into  the  face  of  the  Shepherd  in  the 
valley  of  the  shadow  of  death  and  remain  a 
sheep.  The  look  kills  the  sheep  and  gives  life 
to  the  warrior.  No  sheep  can  see  the  face  of 
the  Shepherd  in  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of 
death  and  continue  to  hve  as  a  sheep." 
Plummer  quotes  Stevenson  as  being  con- 
fident that  the  "table"  figure  is  borrowed  by 
David  from  the  feast  he  enjoyed  in  Saul's 
house  after  slaying  Goliath,  which  honoring 
attention  excited  "the  envy  and  hatred  of 
many." 

"The  Syrian  Guest"  insists  that  the  de- 
scription can  be  literally  applied  to  sheep, 
and  insists  that  the  shepherd  must  spend 
much  time  and  skill  in  finding  "a  good  and 
safe  feeding  place  for  his  sheep."  The 
author  adds:  "Then  there  are  snake  holes  in 

160 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

some  kinds  of  ground,  and  if  they  be  not 
driven  away  the  snakes  bite  the  noses  of  the 
sheep.  The  shepherd  sometimes  burns  the 
fat  of  hogs  along  the  ground  to  do  this. 
Sometimes  the  shepherd  finds  ground  where 
moles  have  worked  their  holes  just  under  the 
surface.  Snakes  lie  in  these  holes  with  their 
heads  sticking  up  ready  to  bite  the  grazing 
sheep.  The  shepherds  know  how  to  drive 
them  away  as  they  go  ahead  of  the  sheep." 
"And  around  the  feeding  ground  which  the 
shepherd  thus  prepares  in  holes  and  caves 
in  the  hillsides  there  are  jackals,  wolves, 
hyenas,  and  panthers  too,  and  the  bravery 
and  skill  of  the  shepherd  are  at  the  highest 
point  in  closing  up  these  dens  with  stones,  or 
slaying  the  wild  beasts  with  his  long-bladed 
knife.  Of  nothing  do  you  hear  shepherds 
boasting  more  proudly  than  of  their  achieve- 
ments in  this  part  of  their  care  of  flocks." 

The  beast  or  the  sheep  nature  is  expelled 
as  we  recognize  kinship  with  God  under 
such  sifting  as  comes  in  the  ^'valley"  F.  B. 
Meyer  says:  "It  is,  of  course,  very  help- 
ful to  think  of  oneself  as  a  sheep,  and  of 

161 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

Christ  as  a  Shepherd ;  but  there  can  be  no  fel- 
lowship between  the  dumb  animals  and  their 
watchful  keeper.  The  psalmist,  therefore, 
seems  to  say:  'I  am  more  than  Jehovah's 
sheep ;  I  am  Jehovah's  guest.'  " 

We  will  be  attacked  often,  but  all  that 
hurts  or  destroys  will  be  unable  to  reach  us. 
Jesus  was  persecuted  by  enemies  and  was 
constantly  watched  and  bitterly  hounded. 
He  was  sorely  tried  in  the  wilderness,  but 
after  the  testing  time  angels  came  and  min- 
istered to  him.  He  as  the  Good  Shepherd  is 
acquainted  with  our  peculiar  enemies  and 
will  prepare  the  "table"  before  we  faint  or 
are  overcome. 

Enemies  are  always  ready  to  sow  the  tares 
of  sin  amid  the  good  seed  in  any  heart. 
Growing  chaff  closely  resembles  wheat;  we 
must  beware  lest  we  mistake  its  presence  as 
a  sign  of  fruitfulness.  All  of  the  dangers 
are  not  in  the  "valley."  Even  when  we  reach 
the  plains  or  are  exalted  on  the  hilltop,  en- 
emies are  ready  to  poimce  upon  us.  They 
grind  their  teeth  in  a  hungry  mouth  in  an- 
ticipation of  feeding  upon  our  souls.    We 

162 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

are  never  secure  enough  to  be  unwatchful. 
But  the  Shepherd  makes  full  provision. 
"Neither  shall  any  man  pluck  them  out  of 
my  hand."  He  will  guard  as  well  as  guide 
us. 

Protection  and  food  are  promised  ''in  the 
presence  of  mine  enemies''  Opponents  of 
the  good  are  abundant.  The  enemy  may  ap- 
pear as  an  angel  of  light,  or  he  may  take  the 
form  of  a  wolf  in  sheep's  clothing.  He  al- 
ways goes  about  as  a  Hon  greedily  seeking 
whom  he  may  devour.  *'An  enemy  sowed 
tares  among  the  wheat,"  said  Jesus.  Satan's 
serpents  camouflage  in  order  that  they  may 
poison  the  souls  of  men.  We  are  told  that 
the  Germans  scattered  helmets  and  all  kinds 
of  souvenirs  over  "No  Man's  Land,"  hav- 
ing attached  to  them  electric  wires  that  fired 
bombs  destroying  any  who  picked  up  these 
articles.  These  are  the  snakes  in  the  grass. 
The  Good  Shepherd,  however,  always  de- 
tects those  who  would  harm  the  soul  and 
gives  due  warning. 

We  will  be  certain  to  have  enemies  if  we 
walk  with  him.    They  may  be  as  reputable 

163 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

as  the  Pharisees.  They  may  be  members  of 
the  church  and  at  times  they  may  even  be 
sincere  in  their  opposition  to  us.  It  is  never 
easy  to  be  a  Christian.  It  is  still  less  easy  to 
be  a  leader  for  the  upbuilding  of  the  King- 
dom, but  it  is  worth  while.  His  strength  is 
sufficient  and  times  of  repose  will  follow  our 
hard  journeys  through  the  valley. 

We  will  never  be  secure  from  attack. 
After  the  witness  of  the  Spirit,  when  Jesus 
was  baptized,  came  the  virulent  wilderness 
temptations.  Right  always  has  skulking 
wolves  and  sneaking  panthers  on  its  track; 
its  heel  may  be  bitten  at  any  moment  by  some 
demon-possessed  snake. 

Satan  hates  and  hounds  one  who  is  true 
to  God,  Woe  be  unto  you  when  all  men 
speak  well  of  you.  He  who  has  no  tempta- 
tions may  be  assured  that  he  is  of  little  ac- 
count in  the  battle  against  Satan;  the  arch 
fiend  like  as  not  already  holds  a  mortgage. 
Trials  come  thick  and  fast  at  times,  but  we 
will  never  be  tempted  "above  what  we  are 
able  to  bear."  Adam  Clarke  says,  "A  mag- 
nificent banquet  is  provided  by  a  most  lib- 

164 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

eral  and  benevolent  Host,  who  has  not  only- 
bounty  to  feed  me,  but  power  to  protect  me." 

When  we  are  low-spirited  in  weariness  the 
enemy  looms  large.  He  generally  appears 
when  we  are  depleted  physically  and  so  less 
able  to  stand  against  him.  The  blues,  fumes 
from  below  choke  and  blind  us  when  many 
problems  have  harassed  us.  Satan  came  to 
Jesus  while  he  was  weak  from  fasting.  We 
need  to  ponder  in  thoughtful  meditation  the 
face  of  the  Host  until  the  conviction  is  con- 
firmed that  no  enemy  dare  assault  us.  The 
Host  is  mightier  than  any  enemies.  We  re- 
vive joy  and  renew  faith  as  we  realize  this 
security  in  the  very  presence  of  the  enemy. 
Fear  dissolves  and  we  recline  at  the  table 
until  refreshed  and  ready  to  continue  the 
journey.  Or,  if  there  is  a  contest,  we  are 
fearless  and  strong,  having  eaten  the  life- 
giving  bread  at  the  Lord's  table. 

The  denizens  of  darkness  can  live  only 
on  destroyed  characters.  They  can  secure 
food  for  their  degenerate  souls  solely  in  the 
nighttime,  as  owls  can  forage  only  in  the 
darkness.     The  lustful  steal  about  in  the 

165 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

shadowed  regions  or  robed  as  friends  to  tear 
down  souls.  They  are  supremely  happy 
when  slipping  up  with  silent  tread  and 
pouncing  upon  unsuspecting  victims.  Sa- 
loon-keepers are  objecting  because  motion 
pictures  always  locate  crime  in  drinking 
places.  But  the  truth  is  nevertheless  thus 
shown.  It  is  safer  to  stay  away  from  crime- 
reputed  spots  if  we  would  avoid  many  as- 
saults from  the  enemy.  We  must  avoid  the 
swamps  infected  with  moral  malaria  if  we 
retain  our  sturdiness. 

God  has  more  power  than  all  that  could  be 
against  us;  one  with  God  is  indeed  a  major- 
ity. Tenderness  when  turned  into  protect- 
ing anger  is  i5erce  and  burning.  The  female 
protects  her  young  against  enemies  many 
times  stronger  and  with  frequent  success 
because  tenderness  defends  its  loved  objects 
with  smashing  abandon.  So  our  God  who  is 
conquering  love  is  also  a  consuming  fire. 
Love  does  not  underwrite  universalism,  but 
rewards  merit  with  justice. 

Dr.  Jowett  tells  of  a  sermon  by  Horatius 
Bonar  on  this  text,  which  was  given  to  all  the 

166 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

blind  at  Edinburgh.  We  need  not  know 
and  see  all.  "He  who  keepeth  Israel  neither 
slumbers  nor  sleeps."  We  may  be  unwarned 
concerning  our  dangers,  but  we  can  be  fear- 
less nevertheless  since  the  Good  Shepherd 
prepares  the  table  and  is  on  guard. 

We  must  walk  carefully.  Side-stepping 
or  wrong  paths  may  put  us  within  reach  of 
the  serpent's  bite.  Compromising  practices 
may  poison  our  souls.  An  Arab  relates  the 
experience  of  a  cousin  who  lost  three  hun- 
dred sheep  from  poison  absorbed  from  eating 
a  weed  that  thrived  amid  the  grass.  Girls 
go  adrift  from  multiplied  frivohty  and  care- 
lessness. Boys  are  taunted  to  drink  or 
swear  as  a  proof  that  they  are  "game."  Bet- 
ting is  o'^ttimes  played  up  as  an  exhibit  of 
courage.  Evil  forces  endeavor  to  discount 
the  danger  and  the  poison  power  of  sin. 
It  urges,  "Eat,  drink  and  be  merry,  for 
to-morrow  we  die."  It  tries  to  build  up 
the  assumption  that  the  Christian  life  robs 
one  of  all  humanity  and  normal  joys. 

Again  it  whispers:  "All  drink"  or  "All 
carouse."    "There  is  no  need  for  you  to  be 

167 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

different  from  others."  We  must  not  accept 
such  specious  arguments;  there  are  many 
still  left  who  do  not  bow  the  knee  to  Baal. 
Morality  must  be  guarded  more  sacredly 
than  health.  An  ancient  fable  tells  of  a 
magic  coat  which  when  rubbed  brought  sel- 
fish wishes  to  pass  for  the  owner.  But  also 
every  time  a  wish  was  realized  the  coat  grew 
smaller  and  ultimately  choked  the  owner  to 
death.  Our  composure  and  placidity  pub- 
lish the  fact  that  the  Shepherd  does  ban- 
quet us. 

Our  irritability,  flurry  of  spirit,  and  fault- 
finding may  rile  and  ruin  the  happiness  of 
the  church  or  the  group  with  which  we 
mingle.  I  well  remember  a  dinner  party 
which  was  marred  by  one  man  who  was  fret- 
ful and  complaintful  about  an  experience 
through  which  he  was  passing.  He  de- 
pressed the  whole  company,  broke  the  har- 
mony of  fellowship  and  spoiled  the  very 
flavor  of  the  food.  We  ought,  rather,  to  in- 
crease the  world's  happiness. 

John  Howard  Payne  was  born  into  a 
lonely  New  York  life,  was  a  wanderer  over 

168 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

the  face  of  the  earth,  homeless  and  often 
hungry.  It  was  the  happy  song  of  a  peasant 
woman  working  in  the  field  that  gave  him 
the  inspiration  for  his  immortal  "Home, 
Sweet  Home." 

Enemies  assail  us  at  all  stages  of  our 
earthly  life.  Youth,  middle  life,  old  age, 
each  will  find  a  well-directed  assault.  There 
is  no  sheltered  spot  along  life's  pathway,  no 
day  when  we  need  not  watch  and  pray.  If, 
however,  we  walk  with  Him,  there  will  be 
protection  for  every  day  down  to  the  grave. 
But  without  our  Leader  old  folk  are  pecu- 
liarly pitiable ;  they  are  tortured  by  the  buz- 
zards of  remorse,  the  crows  of  gloom,  the 
howling  wolves  of  retribution.  Without  our 
Risen  Lord  only  a  starless  night  of  inky 
black  awaits  the  aged. 

There  are  no  ^''prepared"  tables  for  the 
unbeliever.  Without  Christ  no  security  is 
insured.  Dr.  J.  Wilbur  Chapman  tells  of  a 
splendid  young  bank  officer  who  refused  his 
personal  plea  to  become  a  Christian.  Dr. 
Chapman  had  just  buried  the  wife,  who  left 
the  father  with  two  little  children.     The 

169 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

banker  boastfully  declared:  "I  am  a  moral 
man.  I  have  no  bad  habits.  I  have  a  strong 
will.  Why  do  I  need  Christ,  or  an  open  pro- 
fession of  religion?"  A  few  years  after- 
ward Dr.  Chapman  received  a  telegram  call- 
ing him  to  the  town  where  the  banker  lived, 
to  conduct  his  funeral.  In  a  moment  of 
severe  temptation  he  began  steahng  money, 
and  had  kept  it  up,  and  finally  committed 
suicide  in  utter  despair  before  the  disgrace  of 
discovery. 

Social  life  often  brings  unexpected  en- 
emies. When  the  sticks  which  Paul  had 
brought  to  kindle  a  friendly  fire  on  the  island 
of  Malta  began  to  burn,  the  snake  amid  them, 
warmed  by  the  atmosphere,  pounced  upon 
him.  Sailors  and  soldiers,  lonely  and  home- 
sick, sometimes  wander  into  certain  social 
groups  in  the  hunger  for  fellowship  and 
find  themselves  suddenly  open  to  sins  that 
would  never  occur  if  they  were  not  thus  led 
on.  We  must  help  defeat  poisonous  social 
life  by  providing  a  happy  religious  social 
life.  Jesus  fellowshiped  with  the  unpop- 
ular.   He  called  Matthew,  the  ostracized  tax 

170 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

collector,  to  be  one  of  his  disciples.  He  ate 
with  the  Pharisees  even  when  they  were  op- 
posed to  him.  We  may  warm  hearts  by  hu- 
man fellowship  and  sociahty  until  faith 
thrives.  We  are  warned  by  Paul  to  "be  not 
forgetful  to  entertain  strangers." 

Homes  J  then,  should  he  made  happy.  The 
wife  serves  God  well  who  makes  her  house- 
hold so  cozy  that  it  is  more  attractive  than 
any  other  place  to  the  husband  and  children. 
There  are  higher  thrones  for  womanhood  to 
sit  upon  than  merely  to  hold  public  oiRce. 
One  mother  suddenly  found  her  boy  out 
every  night  and  her  husband  making  regular 
business  engagements.  She  awoke  and 
spent  time  planning  "home"  evenings  until 
both  son  and  husband  were  won  back  and  a 
happy  home  was  insured  that  was  better 
service  than  her  club  offered. 

We  should  close  up  the  dens  along  the 
social  highways  that  correspond  to  the  jack- 
als, wolves  and  hyena  holes  which  threaten 
sheep  while  they  are  pasturing.  A  noted 
temperance  lecturer  tells  of  a  struggle  he 
once  had.    Coming  home  from  a  lecture,  the 

171 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

passion  for  drink  fell  full  upon  him.  He 
rushed  out  in  the  night,  but  saloon  after 
saloon,  to  which  he  wildly  resorted,  he  found 
closed.  If  the  saloon,  the  jackal  hole,  had 
been  open,  he  would  have  been  pounced  upon 
by  the  enemy  and  destroyed.  Where  pro- 
hibition comes,  prisons  empty  out,  merchan- 
dise stores  thrive,  banks  bulge  with  savings, 
and  happy  homes  are  erected. 

''Thou  preparest  a  table''  may  be  taken 
literally  if  we  so  desire.  Food  both  affects  us 
and  shows  our  ideals.  Men  and  women  first 
learn  to  drink  in  fashionable  restaurants  and 
in  some  cultured  private  homes.  One  may 
show  that  he  is  a  glutton  by  his  action  at  the 
table.  Eating  may  be  recognized  to  be  an 
individual's  highest  purpose.  Folks  betray 
their  ideals  of  companions  or  make  compan- 
ions who  pull  down  the  soul  at  feasts.  We 
come  closer  to  each  other  while  breaking 
bread  together.  We  open  our  Hfe  to  the  in- 
fluences of  those  at  the  table  where  we  eat. 
How  necessary  it  is,  therefore,  that  our  heav- 
enly Father  prepare  even  our  human  table 
for  us  and  that  we  follow  his  standards  there. 

172 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

The  word  literally  translated  "table"  here 
may  have  been  that  which  was  sometimes 
used  by  the  Jews.  It  was  only  twelve  inches 
high,  and  was  round.  The  word  is  employed 
one  hundred  and  eight  times  in  the  Old 
Testament  and  twenty  times  in  the  New 
Testament.  Or  it  may  have  been  a  mat  or 
a  skin  or  a  cloth  spread  on  the  ground.  Hast- 
ings's Bible  Dictionary  says  that  the  inner 
meaning  of  the  word  is  "spread  out."  It 
suggests  a  homey  table  or,  at  least,  a  con- 
genial group.  We  do  not  think  of  the  tiny 
samples  in  the  side  dishes  of  the  hotel.  It, 
rather,  vivifies  the  help-yourself  dish  of  the 
family  table. 

Naturally,  we  appreciate  such  a  table 
after  the  loneliness  and  losses  of  the  "valley." 
It  is  as  a  couch  to  the  weary,  as  a  drink  to 
the  famishing,  as  the  meal  to  the  hungry 
toiler.  As  it  is  very  homey,  the  church 
should  be  a  homey  institution  or  else  she 
cannot  "prepare  a  table."  We  should  pray 
not  stiffly,  but  as  in  conversation  with  the 
Father  in  his  house.  One  of  the  highest  priv- 
ileges of  a  guest  is  to  get  acquainted  with  a 

173 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

distinguished  host.  We  may  know  Him  and 
the  power  of  his  resurrection  and  the  fellow- 
ship of  his  sujBPering.  If  we  will  meditate 
upon  his  work  and  love,  all  fear  will  leave 
as  snow  disappears  before  warm  sunshine. 
He  has  not  given  us  "the  spirit  of  fear,  but 
of  love,  and  of  power,  and  of  a  strong  mind." 
He  will  sweeten  the  home  circle.  Here  is 
a  good  motto  to  put  on  the  dining  room  wall: 

"  Christ  is  the  Head  of  this  house. 
The  unseen  Guest  at  every  meal. 
The  Silent  Listener  to  every  conversation." 

He  is  there  and  gives  fragrance  to  fellow- 
ship and  spiritual  potency  to  all  the  means 
used  to  build  us  up.  He  sat  at  the  table  with 
the  disciples  at  Emmaus.  He  found  rest  at 
the  home  of  Lazarus  while  waiting  for  and 
walking  toward  the  cross.  He  gave  his  last 
intimate  farewell  around  the  table  in  a 
quiet  upper  room  where  were  gathered  his 
friends  where  he  inaugurated  the  Lord's 
Supper. 

The  phrases  here  used  suggest  the  inti- 
macy   which    only    love    makes    possible. 

174 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

"Thou"  preparest  a  table.  It  is  "before 
me."  Both  of  these  terms  are  very  personal. 
Do  you  remember  the  last  time  you  were  in 
your  mother's  house  and  you  sat  down  to 
her  table?  There  was  a  certain  dish  which 
no  one  could  prepare  as  she  did.  She  did  not 
forget  that  you  rehshed  it.  The  meal  was 
prepared  for  you.  It  was  prepared  to  show 
that  love  had  memory,  and  also  to  make  you 
comfortable  and  happy. 

The  men  in  the  trenches  are  gladdened  by 
letters  and  little  gifts  that  recall  faces  and 
hearts  that  yearn  for  them  as  they  fight. 
These  messages  and  trinkets  are  prepared 
for  them.  In  the  case  of  the  latter  it  is  not 
so  much  the  gift  but  the  love  that  is  back  of 
it.  Our  Father  tells  his  love  for  us  in  the 
things  he  prepares.  A  feast  is  not  sweet  be- 
cause large  and  elaborate,  but  because  it  has 
the  flavor  of  love  in  it.  That  will  insure 
heart  balm. 

We  refuse  to  have  servants  at  the  home 
table,  not  because  we  look  down  upon  them, 
but  because  the  table  is  pecuHarly  dedicated 
to  the  family  and  strangers  spoil  its  atmos- 

175 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

phere.  So  there  are  some  "tables"  like  the 
communion  service  where  only  disciples 
gather.  The  Salvation  Army  has  a  meeting 
every  Monday  into  which  none  are  admitted 
but  soldiers  and  officers  of  the  organization. 
No  more  intimate  figure  of  familyhood 
could  be  used  than  "Thou  preparest  a  table." 

The  spread  table  prepares  us  also  for  our 
daily  tasks. 

When  the  college  football  team  goes  into 
training  they  are  assigned  to  certain  training 
tables  that  build  them  for  a  particular  task. 
Our  task  is  to  serve.  His  food  will  furnish 
us  to  do  it  efficiently.  When  God  furnishes 
the  supplies  there  is  an  abundance.  The 
widow's  meal  did  not  run  out  when  she  was 
feeding  the  prophet.  The  lad's  lunch  was 
increased  until  all  the  multitude  had  enough 
and  to  spare.  When  the  children  of  Israel 
were  starving  in  the  wilderness  God  gave 
them  manna  and  quails  from  heaven. 

The  "table"  suggests  a  place  for  friendly 
intercourse.  We  may  take  time  for  holy 
communings  with  the  Host.  We  may  have 
the  relaxation  of  faith  while  at  the  Lord's 

176 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

table.  We  may  see  God's  loving  care  in  reg- 
ular furnishment  of  food  and  clothing. 
Anxiety  need  not  break  our  peace,  the  table 
will  be  prepared. 

The  toiler  plods  his  weary  way  to  the  home 
of  love  at  nightfall.  Here  he  finds  the  wife 
tastefully  dressed,  the  kiddies  clean  and 
eager  to  greet  him.  Chair,  slippers,  foods, 
warmth,  light — everything  are  prepared 
both  to  rest  him  and  to  express  love  through- 
out that  household.  Danger  and  worry  are 
shut  out.  Security,  love,  fellowship  make 
the  conditions  ideal.  Days  and  weeks  and 
even  years  of  common  experiences  together, 
of  tears  and  laughter,  of  sighs  and  smiles, 
have  brought  the  members  of  the  home  circle 
close  together.  So  the  "still  waters,"  the 
"green  pastures,"  the  "paths  of  righteous- 
ness," and  "the  dark  valleys"  have  made  us 
well  acquainted  with  members  of  "the  house- 
hold of  faith,"  and  we  sit  down  for  close  and 
comforting  fellowship. 

The  heavenly  Host  prepares  both  the  rest 
and  the  food  that  we  need,  with  special 
spread  tokens  of  love  at  the  end  of  severe 

177 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

days  so  that  the  love  there  breathed  out  may 
build  our  soul.  He  redeems  and  forgives, 
until  we  feel  at  home  at  his  table.  We  are 
never  shut  out  because  imperfect.  Even  the 
Pharisees  were  invited.  He  ate  with  scold- 
ing Martha.  The  jealous  Pharisees  charged 
that  He  fellowshiped  with  publicans  and 
sinners.  All  may  feel  at  home  and  enjoy  his 
feast. 

As  MacLaren  says,  "The  table  spread  in 
the  sight  of  the  enemy  is  a  more  signal  token 
of  care  and  power  than  the  green  pastures 
are."  Guards  must  be  placed  against  the 
onslaught  of  the  enemy.  Nehemiah  had  to 
arm  the  Jerusalem  rebuilders  with  both 
trowel  and  weapon.  No  labor  is  spared  by 
the  Host.  The  enemies  have  no  power  to 
affright.  The  desert  sojourn  need  not  dis- 
courage ;  love  will  find  a  way. 

Will  the  guest  be  unmoved  by  such  loving 
thoughtf ulness  ?  Will  he  go  out  and  prove 
to  be  a  traitor?  Even  Judas  was  invited 
with  the  other  disciples  to  such  a  prepared 
feast  while  the  enemies  stood  round  anxious 
to  tear  the  Shepherd  to  pieces.    He  felt  the 

178 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

warm  touch  of  the  Master's  fingers  as  they 
washed  his  feet  and  took  the  "sop"  from  the 
Host's  hand,  and  yet  he  dared  to  betray  the 
Host.  Have  we  feasted  with  Christ  and 
then  grown  cold  and  disowned  him? 

MacLaren  says,  ''This  is  the  condition  of 
God's  servant — always  conflict,  but  always 
a  spread  table/'  The  lazy  Christian  is  lean. 
The  hard  worker  is  fat  of  soul.  The  food  is 
fitted  to  furnish  a  warrior,  not  a  soft  neo- 
phjrte.  Henry  Ward  Beecher  made  such  a 
study  of  food  properties  that  he  knew  what 
sort  to  eat  to  equip  him  for  an  anticipated 
task,  whether  muscular  or  mental.  We  must 
be  spiritually  nourished  to  meet  the  various 
enemies. 

He  will  give  us  insight  for  real  values. 
Enemies  to  holiness  will  look  ugly  while  we 
are  in  his  presence.  Daniel  refused  to  fatten 
with  the  meat  which  was  reputed  to  be  alone 
capable  of  producing  beauty  and  efficiency, 
because  in  accepting  it  he  acknowledged  the 
necessity  of  idol- worship.  The  world  pre- 
scribes banquets  and  the  bizarre  cabarets, 
and   cards,   wealth   and  wildness,   but  our 

179 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

Host  not  only  prohibits  all  artificial  stimu- 
lants but  furnishes  something  better.  We 
will  enjoy  the  church  service,  the  prayer 
meeting,  the  Book  of  God,  and  the  outgrow- 
ing social  activities  which  a  Christian  will 
follow.  We  will  not  merely  eat  in  the  atmos- 
phere of  a  specific  worship  service,  but  we 
will  gather  strength  from  fellowship  all  the 
time.    "God  is  everywhere." 

An  old  man  came  to  an  English  city  to  see 
his  daughter,  and  missing  her,  was  lost  and 
spent  all  of  his  money.  He  went  into 
York  Minster  and  sat  all  day  waiting  for 
help.  Toward  evening  someone  finally 
found  him  and  gave  him  the  needed  aid.  He 
said,  "I  thought  that  if  I  came  to  the  Lord's 
house,  I  would  find  a  prepared  table."  He 
was  not  disappointed. 

It  is  a  pleasure  to  go  to  God's  feast.  It 
is  not  a  stiff  duty.  Huckel  says:  "It  is  a 
table  of  bounties.  There  is  refreshment  for 
the  eyes  in  all  the  beauty  of  nature  and  life ; 
there  is  refreshment  for  the  ear  in  the  sweet 
sounds  of  nature,  the  voices  of  friends,  and  in 
the  symphonies  that  man  creates  in  noble 

180 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

harmonies;  there  is  refreshment  for  the 
mouth  in  the  luscious  fruits ;  there  is  refresh- 
ment for  the  brain  in  noble  thoughts  and  high 
converse;  there  is  refreshment  for  the  body 
in  tired  nature's  sweet  restorer,  balmy  sleep ; 
there  is  refreshment  for  the  heart  in  the  love 
of  kindred  friends;  there  is  refreshment  for 
the  soul  in  the  visions  of  truth  and  the  gra- 
cious opportunities  for  beautiful  service  for 
God."  We  recall  this  fellowship  later  and 
clear  out  depression  with  its  good  cheer. 

If  we  miss  the  feast,  some  one  else  will 
take  our  place.  The  Host  will  not  be  dis- 
appointed; his  house  must  be  filled  and  he 
will  allow  no  provisions  to  be  wasted.  He 
will  send  out  into  the  highways  and  hedges 
and  "compel"  others  to  come  in. 

The  fact  that  he  cares  and  provides  for  us 
in  the  presence  of  enemies  is  a  signal  evi- 
dence of  his  love.  One  past  deliverance 
should  banish  our  doubts  when  another 
danger  threatens.  He  does  not  scold  but 
mellows  us  with  his  love ;  the  prodigal  under- 
stood and  came  home. 

F.  B.  Meyer  tells  the  story  of  a  traveler 

181 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

who  wandered  about  and  was  lost  and  all  but 
famished  when  a  terrible  storm  struck  upon 
him  and  apparently  drove  him  out  of  his 
way  and  finally  threw  him  exhausted  into 
abundant  foliage.  Here  he  found  food 
growing  and  at  the  base  of  a  tree  a  spring. 
In  the  very  midst  of  his  loss  there  was  a 
spread  feast. 

A  missionary  among  the  Eskimos  tells 
how  that  for  four  Sundays  in  succession 
seals  came  up  to  the  place  where  they  were 
generally  caught.  He  wondered  whether 
the  Christian  Eskimos  would  resist  the  temp- 
tation to  take  them  Finally  they  reminded 
him  that  they  recognized  in  this  Sunday  com- 
ing of  the  seals  Satan's  work.  They  re- 
fused to  sin  and  later  were  rewarded  with 
an  abundance  of  seals  to  supply  their  winter 
needs. 

We  need  not  force  our  way  into  the  feast. 
We  need  only  seek  it  as  the  privilege  of  a 
toiler  seeking  equipment  or  protection. 

Amos  R.  Wells  tells  the  following  parable 
in  his  book  of  sermons  to  children:  "The 
king  had  announced  that  the  royal  crown  of 

182 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

happiness  would  be  given  to  the  right  person 
who  applied  for  it.  Master  Vanity  spent  all 
his  time  in  seeking  royal  garments  and  in 
putting  on  clothing  to  make  a  worthy  dis- 
play. Miss  Selfish  boasted  that  she  had  a 
'puir  that  would  land  it.  Harry  Head- 
strong demanded  it  as  his  right  and  fitting 
to  his  worth.  Lucy  Loving  asked  for  it  so 
that  she  might  give  it  to  her  dear  ones  and 
friends.  She  then  forgot  about  it  until  one 
day  some  one  called  her  Queen  Lucy  and 
she  felt  her  forehead  and  found  a  crown." 
Our  Host  or  Shepherd  adorns  us  and  feasts 
us  so  that  we  may  be  a  blessing. 


183 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 


CHAPTER  VIII 

SOCIAL  HAPPINESS  AND  SPIRIT- 
UAL CONTENTMENT 

"  Thou  anointest  my  head  with  oil,  my  cup 
rumieth  over  " 

The  preceding  verses  of  the  PsaLn  have 
been  describing  the  guests  sitting  at  a  ban- 
quet table.  Whether  we  carry  the  figure  of 
the  sheep  or  change  to  that  of  persons,  if  we 
are  not  at  the  Host's  table,  we  have  chosen 
rather  to  eat  the  husks  of  the  world.  The 
"Syrian  Guest"  holds  that  this  clause  still 
applies  to  the  sheep.  He  describes  a  nightly 
process.  The  Shepherd  "rods"  the  sheep. 
He  has  pine  tar  and  a  horn  of  olive  oil. 
Each  sheep  is  examined.  A  bruised  head  or 
a  scratched  side  is  anointed  with  oil,  or  tar. 
When  one  is  found  to  be  utterly  exhausted, 
he  stops  it  and  washes  its  head  and  face  with 
refreshing  olive  oil,  and  then  dips  a  two- 

184 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

handled  cup  into  water  prepared  for  the 
purpose  until  it  runs  over,  and  gives  the 
weary  sheep  a  drink. 

Another  writer  tells  of  the  visit  of  an  Eng- 
lish woman  to  an  Arabian  ship  at  Trincoma- 
lee.  She  sat  down  to  rest  and  immediately  a 
woman  servant  of  the  ship  does  obeisance 
and  pours  ointment  upon  her  head  to  help 
refresh  her,  and  honor  her  as  the  guest  of 
the  Arab  ship. 

Caste  does  not  rule  in  America,  hut  ''so- 
ciety' circles  hold  sway  in  certain  sections. 
The  poorly  dressed  do  not  find  a  hearty  wel- 
come in  "millionaire"  groups  where  money  is 
king.  The  boarders  at  a  celebrated  wealthy 
resort-hotel  in  the  East  threatened  to  leave 
because  the  recreation-seeking  school  teach- 
ers, paying  their  way  by  acting  as  table 
waiters,  attended  the  hotel  chapel  worship 
services,  with  the  guests.  How  differently 
Jesus  treated  folk !  Only  the  man  who  care- 
lessly or  stubbornly  refused  to  put  on  the 
provided  wedding  garment  was  shut  out. 
The  "byway"  and  "hedges"  folks  were  other- 
wise admitted  without  exception.     There  is 

185 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

food  and  to  spare  for  all  who  accept,  and  a 
glad  and  honoring  welcome. 

The  Master  knows  that  disciples  require 
the  nourishment  of  the  table,  but  they  also 
need  the  refreshing  cheer  of  friendly  asso- 
ciation. He  will  not  allow  the  table  to  be 
half  full.  Jesus  told  the  disciples  to  go  out 
and  "compel"  guests  to  come  in,  that  "my 
house  may  be  filled." 

The  Shepherd's  care  insures  healthy 
hearts,  and  that  means  unbreakable  happi- 
ness. He  who  is  joyless  does  not  eat  at  the 
Master's  table.  "These  things  have  I 
spoken  that  my  joy  might  remain  in  you,  and 
that  your  joy  might  be  full,"  was  Christ's 
declaration.  The  Psalmist  prayed,  "Restore 
unto  me  the  joy  of  thy  salvation."  Jesus 
promised  the  woman  at  the  well  of  Samaria 
a  spring  of  satisfying  water  that  would 
bubble  up  constantly.  "Your  joy  no  man 
taketh  from  you." 

We  need  love  "feasts"  or  they  would  not 
he  furnished,  Jesus  broke  bread  with  close 
friends  before  he  went  to  the  garden  and  the 
cross.    We  require  such  human  sympathy 

186 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

and  encouragement.  The  Master  took  the 
intimate  disciples,  Peter,  James,  and  John, 
into  the  mount  of  transfiguration  and  then 
with  him  into  Gethsemane.  Paul  regularly 
had  a  traveling  companion  on  his  long 
preaching  tours  and  was  heartened  many 
times  by  friends.  The  seventy  were  sent  out 
two  by  two.  Jesus  was  recognized  at  Em- 
maus  as  he  broke  bread  as  of  old  at  the 
friendly  board.  Wesley  received  his  abiding 
impetus  from  the  college  club  jeeringly 
called  "Methodists,"  but  regularly  named 
"The  Holy  Club."  Moody's  name  always 
suggests  his  vital  associate  Sankey.  "Billy" 
Sunday's  courage  and  spirit  is  sustained  by 
the  sunniness  and  poise  of  Mr.  Rodeheaver. 
Church  membership  insures  us  Christian  fel- 
lowship. We  need  close  companions  who 
also  walk  the  Christian  way.  So  we  sit  at 
the  banquet  board  with  other  disciples  of  the 
Host. 

The  psalm  has  been  logically  progressive. 
It  has  encouraged  and  insured  a  social  at- 
mosphere. Common  experience  together  in 
the    "green   grass"    and    beside    the    "still 

187 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

waters,"  and  more  certainly  as  we  come 
"through  the  dark  valley,"  leads  us  to  a 
happy  fellowship  which  reaches  fullest  ex- 
pression at  the  "table  prepared." 

There  must  be  a  social  atmosphere  before 
the  spiritual  can  bring  blessings.  A  cold 
church  never  has  a  revival.  The  anointment 
of  the  Spirit  comes  only  where  there  is  love 
and  friendship,  and  hence  there  is  the  table, 
and  then  the  "oil"  and  the  "cup."  This 
easily  prepares  the  way  for  the  home  with 
God.  Earthly  relationships  are  to  teach  us 
what  heaven  is  like.  It  is  not  to  be  a  strange 
and  unnatural  place.  We  are  to  have  fore- 
tastes of  it  here. 

''Thou  anoint  est  my  head  with  oil"  is  the 
glad  testimony  of  a  pilgrim  in  the  way. 
Cheyne  says:  "Every  rich  man  had  in  his 
household  an  anointer,  who  had  to  place  a 
cone  of  ointment  on  the  head  of  his  master, 
where  it  remained  during  the  feast.  Oint- 
ment to  the  Jews  was  a  symbol  of  joy." 
Briggs  says,  "It  was  the  custom  in  the 
Orient  to  honor  guests  by  anointing  the  head 
with  oil  or  scented  grease  before  entering 

188 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

the  banquet  room,  as  in  Amos  6.6;  also  Luke 
7.  46.  It  was  also  the  custom  to  sprinkle 
the  guests  with  perfume." 

Plummer  says:  "When  men  were  sad, 
they  covered  themselves  with  dust  and  ashes. 
When  joyous,  they  washed  and  anointed 
themselves.  Men  never  anointed  them- 
selves in  token  of  grief.  The  anointing  of 
guests  was  also  to  show  them  honor  and  to 
declare  their  welcome."  He  quotes  Heng- 
stenberg  as  saying,  "The  oil,  which  is  the 
symbolical  expression  of  joy,  is  one  of  the 
necessary  accompaniments  of  a  festive  and 
joyful  entertainment."  Huckel  says:  "It 
is  God's  royal  welcome  to  us;  it  is  the  glad 
salutation  that  goes  with  the  word  of  greet- 
ing and  the  kiss  of  peace.  It  is  an  Oriental 
token  of  love." 

It  seems  strange  that  the  great  God 
should  do  so  much  to  woo  us  to  himself.  The 
psalmist  well  cried  out,  "What  is  man,  that 
thou  art  mindful  of  him?"  But  God  is  a 
God  of  love  and  desires  our  affection  as  any 
other  father  does  the  love  of  his  children. 

The  oil  stands  always,  when  used  as  oint- 

189 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

ment,  for  affectionate  association.  When 
Israel  sinned  and  was  rejected,  the  olive 
trees  ceased  to  bear,  and  hence  olive  oil  could 
not  be  manufactured.  When  they  returned 
to  God,  the  olive  harvest  again  began  as  a 
sign  of  the  reconciliation.  When  Israel 
signed  a  compact  of  friendship  with  Judah, 
with  whom  they  had  broken,  they  anointed 
the  captives  before  returning  them  home. 
The  act  of  anointing  stands  as  a  seal  of  our 
salvation.  It  prefigures  the  Holy  Spirit, 
whose  anointing  leads  us  as  members  of 
God's  family  to  cry,  "Abba,  Father."  We 
are  to  be  at  home  in  his  household. 

The  leper  was  anointed  after  his  healing 
as  a  symbol  of  reconsecration.  The  appear- 
ance of  the  disease  identified  as  a  penalty  for 
sin  had  shut  him  out.  When  cured  he  was  fit 
again  to  be  a  fellow  citizen  with  the  saints. 
The  welcome  ointment  awaits  the  repentant 
backslider. 

A  common  saying  among  the  Jews  was 
"Ointment  and  perfume  rejoice  the  heart." 
The  fresh,  bubbling  spirit  of  youth  gladdens 
all  hearts.    The  vital  Christian  never  grows 

190 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

old.  His  spirit  keeps  us  sweet  and  spirited. 
The  anointing  was  never  used  in  times  of 
mourning.  When  Bathsheba's  child  died, 
David  arose  and  anointed  himself  because 
mourning  had  failed  to  restore  the  child  to 
health.  It  was  always  the  sign  that  mourn- 
ing had  been  put  off. 

The  custom  of  anointing  began  at  least  as 
early  as  B.  C.  4200.  The  Jews  put  oil  upon 
every  exposed  part  of  the  body  to  heal  sun- 
burn. It  thus  brought  ease  and  increased  the 
attractiveness  of  their  appearance.  Spirit- 
ualizers  have  drawn  suggestive  lessons.  The 
oil  smoothes  the  skin  and  makes  it  evener  to 
touch.  It  brightens  and  refreshes  the  per- 
sonality and  so  increases  the  beauty.  It  aug- 
ments the  fragrance  of  the  atmosphere,  and 
so  multiplies  happiness.  The  ointment  in 
this  way  aided  beauty,  harmony,  and  the 
emotional  life.    Jesus  always  does  that. 

We  are  to  worship  him  in  the  beauty  of 
holiness.  If  we  walk  with  him,  our  whole 
being  works  symmetrically  and  we  accom- 
plish the  most  possible  in  life.  He  thrills  our 
hearts  with  tokens  of  his  love  and  care. 

191 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

Marion  Harland  tells  us  that  a  gifted  au- 
thoress had  a  strong  book  ready  to  pubhsh  at 
the  close  of  the  Civil  War.  She  found  that  it 
would  wound  and  tear  many  hearts  and 
hence  deliberately  burned  it.  She  would  put 
no  bitterness  in  the  world's  cup. 

The  anointing  marks  the  hosfs  guests  as 
respected  and  honored.  He  calls  us  no 
longer  servants,  but  he  has  called  us 
"friends."  He  really  desires  us  to  be  in  his 
presence.  Plummer  paraphrases  the  mean- 
ing: "Thou  treatest  me  like  a  well-accepted 
guest  at  the  table  which  thou  hast  prepared 
for  me."  It  is  God's  message  to  us  that  we 
are  welcome  in  his  company.  Simon  the 
Pharisee  neglected  to  give  Jesus,  his  Guest, 
this  token  because  he  had  him  there  merely 
to  catch  him  and  not  to  comfort  and  sweeten 
his  soul.  What  Simon  neglected,  Mary 
Magdalene's  love  noticed,  and  did  at  great 
sacrifice. 

The  scented  ointment  was  usually  em- 
ployed only  by  the  rich.  Spurgeon  quotes 
an  old,  unnamed  comment  as  follows :  "Thou 
hast  not  confined  thy  bounty  merely  to  the 

192 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

necessaries  of  life,  but  thou  hast  also  sup- 
plied me  with  its  luxuries."  John  the  Bap- 
tist, who  fasted  and  dressed  in  camel's  hair, 
was,  said  Jesus,  "the  least  in  the  kingdom  of 
heaven."  He  saw  intrinsic  value  in  fasting 
— an  earning  of  merit — but  Jesus  taught 
that  nothing  was  useful  or  binding  unless  the 
soul  was  developed  by  it. 

The  beautiful  and  glorious  things  of  earth 
belong  to  saints;  we  must  only  beware  and 
learn  how  to  use  them  and  not  abuse  them. 
"The  world,  or  life,  or  death,  or  things  pres- 
ent, or  things  to  come;  all  are  yours,"  says 
Paul. 

Judas  objected  because  the  ointment 
poured  out  on  the  feet  of  Jesus  was  an  ex- 
travagant expenditure.  It  did  seem  like  a 
costly  waste,  but  Christ  commended  it.  The 
hard  round  of  duties  is  always  with  us.  We 
need  the  notable  and  memorable  tokens  of 
love,  lest  we  lose  heart.  Jesus  sees  to  it  that 
we  get  such  help.  Human  love  is  akin  to 
God  and  "Everyone  that  loveth  is  born  of 
God."  "If  a  man  .  .  .  loveth  not  his 
brother  whom  he  hath  seen,  how  can  he  love 

193 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

God  whom  he  hath  not  seen?"  We  must 
love  to  make  helpfukiess  effective. 

We  are  in  a  great  rush  these  days  and  we 
may  miss  the  Host;  but  if  we  are  alert,  we 
will  recognize  him  even  more  quickly  than 
did  the  Emmaus  pilgrims.  Sir  Launcelot 
searching  for  the  Holy  Grail  missed  it  be- 
cause he  did  not  notice  the  beggar  at  the 
gate.  Marie  Corelli  pictures  the  wofld's 
thoughtlessness  when  in  the  Master  Chris- 
tian she  depicts  the  Christ  as  the  neglected 
lad.  "Inasmuch  as  ye  have  done  it  unto  one 
of  the  least  of  these  my  brethren,  ye  have 
done  it  unto  me."  We  may  even  in  enter- 
taining strangers  find  that  we  have  angels  as 
our  guests. 

All  sit  as  equals  at  the  Master's  table.  He 
anoints  all  guests  who  accept  his  invitation. 
There  are  no  privileged  groups  or  clannish 
classes.  Will  we  substitute  anything  for  his 
invitations?  Will  we  show  our  cheap  no- 
tion of  it  by  neglecting  it,  or  will  we  gladly 
push  everything  aside  that  we  may  sit  with 
him,  our  Lord  Christ,  as  host? 

The  ointment  was  used  also  in  earliest 

194 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

times  by  religious  workers  for  healing.  That 
was  its  practical  medicinal  effect,  but  later  it 
was  employed  with  the  expectation  that  God 
would  add  a  miraculous  efficiency  to  it. 
Hence  the  elders  of  the  early  church  were 
told  to  pray  for  the  sick  and  anoint  them 
with  oil.  The  sympathy  and  prayers  of 
friends  did  aid  faith  and  often  brought  new 
health.  A  little  later  a  group  thought  that 
the  dead  should  thus  be  anointed  to  help 
them  in  their  j  ourney  to  heaven.  This  group 
were  ultimately  accounted  heretics.  How- 
ever, the  habit  grew  until  the  Roman  Cath- 
olic Church  adopted  it.  It  is  now  called 
"extreme  unction"  and  is  counted  one  of  the 
seven  sacraments  of  that  church. 

When  ointment  was  thus  used  it  asserted 
the  abolition  of  hate.  The  Methodist  com- 
munion form  inviting  people  to  the  sac- 
rament suggests  that  fact.  "Wherefore  ye 
that  do  truly  and  earnestly  repent  of  your 
sins,  and  are  in  love  and  charity  with  your 
neighbors,  .  .  .  draw  near  with  faith." 
An  ex-cannibal  arose  angrily  and  hurriedly 
left  the  communion  rail  in  a  mission  church 

195 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

in  the  Sandwich  Islands.  He  stopped  at  the 
door,  hesitated  and  finally  returned.  He 
gave  the  cause:  "Kneeling  at  my  side,"  he 
said,  "I  saw  the  man  who  had  killed  my 
father  and  ate  his  heart  while  it  yet  quivered 
with  hfe.  I  had  vowed  to  kill  him.  I  arose, 
so  determined.  I  remembered  Christ's 
prayer,  'Father,  forgive  them,  for  they  know 
not  what  they  do.'  I  uttered  it  and  returned 
to  kneel  by  my  father's  forgiven  murderer  as 
my  brother." 

If  one  is  offish  with  others,  and  he  sits 
down  at  the  table  with  Jesus,  he  will  soon 
find  a  point  of  harmonious  agreement.  Fac- 
tional strife  shuts  out  spiritual  sunlight. 
Bickerings  and  brotherliness  cannot  dwell  in 
the  same  institution.  Bosses  may  thrive  in 
politics,  but  they  can  never  sustain  a  winning 
church.  We  must  sit  as  equals  around  the 
Master's  table. 

It  will  never  be  beneath  us  to  do  the 
most  menial  tasks.  Jesus  washed  the  dis- 
ciples' feet.  "But  whosoever  will  be  great 
among  you,  let  him  be  as  the  minister; 
and  whosoever  will  be  chief  among  you,  let 

196 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

him  be  your  servant"  (Luke  22.  26) .  On  a 
recent  battlefield  a  messenger  bearing  an  im- 
portant dispatch  was  suddenly  blinded  by  a 
bursting  shell.  He  groped  along  the  ground 
until  he  felt  another  comrade  and  urged, 
"Quick!  take  this  dispatch  and  deliver  it." 
But  the  other  answered,  "Both  my  legs  are 
broken."  The  dispatch  bearer  said,  "Can 
you  see?"  On  receiving  an  affirmative  reply 
he  picked  up  the  comrade  and  said:  "You 
furnish  the  eyes  and  I  will  supply  the  legs 
and  so  deHver  the  message." 

The  ointment  stands  for  the  grace  of  God, 
and  speaks  of  his  patience  and  forgiveness. 
It  will  heal  sorrows,  redeem  disappointment, 
soothe  rough  ways  and  sweeten  bitter  cups. 
His  grace  heals  heart  hurts,  as  does  no  other 
remedy. 

The  anointing  was  also  used  in  setting 
apart  people  for  certain  tasks.  Priests  and 
kings  were  thus  dedicated.  Jesus  said,  "As 
my  Father  hath  sent  me,  even  so  send  I  you." 
We  who  believe  are  set  apart  to  be  his  repre- 
sentatives and  messengers.  "We  pray  you 
in  Christ's  stead,  be  ye  reconciled  to  God." 

197 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

Accept  the  assignment  as  an  honoring  ap- 
pointment. 

The  saloon  marks  its  patrons  with  repug- 
nant breath,  scarred  soul,  and  destroyed 
faith.  The  gambler  exhibits  his  master's  rule 
with  gaudy  dress,  heartless  eye,  and  loaf  erish 
life.  The  silly,  shoddy  girl  shows  the  life  to 
which  she  is  dedicated  by  frivolous  talk,  care- 
less acts,  and  cheap  ideals.  Dives  demon- 
strated that  he  was  a  stranger  to  Jesus  by 
leaving  Lazarus  to  lie  in  pain  and  hunger 
at  his  gate.  But  with  Paul  we  too  may 
"bear  in  our  body  the  marks  of  the  Lord 
Jesus."  The  world  may  recognize  that  we 
have  been  with  Jesus  and  learned  of  him. 
The  fragrance  of  his  personaUty  may  per- 
vade ours  and  thus  gladden  the  world.  We 
may  indeed  be  living  epistles  "known  and 
read  of  all  men." 

All  ages  and  classes  were  invited  by  our 
Lord's  love.  He  had  a  welcome  for  youth 
as  manifested  in  the  love  and  leading  offered 
to  the  rich  young  man;  seeing  his  possibil- 
ities, he  yearned  for  the  hfe.  His  arms  shel- 
tered the  babe ;  his  presence  gladdened  Anna, 

198 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

the  aged  prophetess.  He  spoke  peace  and 
gladness  to  the  sinner,  Mary  Magdalene. 
He  wiped  tears  from  the  eyes  of  the  widow 
of  Nain.  He  sends  us  out  inviting  any  who 
"will"  to  become  his  guest.  The  wedding 
garment  is  provided ;  it  only  need  be  gladly 
worn. 

Cardinal  Woolsey  near  his  death,  in  agony 
cried:  "Had  I  but  served  my  God  with  half 
the  zeal  I  served  my  king,  he  would  not  in 
mine  age  have  left  me  naked  to  mine  en- 
emies." 

There  is  no  fellowship  more  stimulating 
and  sweet  than  that  known  by  theological 
students  in  their  own  dormitory.  All  give 
up  worldly  advantages  to  take  up  the  work 
of  the  ministry  and  must  see  value  in  sacrifice 
that  no  "thirty  pieces  of  silver"  can  depre- 
ciate. A  college  girl  who  had  married  a  theo- 
logical student  wanted  to  help  him  get 
through  school.  She  had  no  knowledge  of 
cooking,  but  she  was  brave  enough  to  an- 
nounce that  she  would  take  boarders.  A 
dozen  theological  students  agreed  to  eat  at 
her  table.     They  had  a  common  aim,  ce- 

199 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

merited  by  deprivations,  and  were  in  a  daily 
association  as  they  studied  together  to  meet 
a  high  goal;  thus  their  hearts  were  knit 
closely.  The  food  was  such  as  only  an  igno- 
rant and  inexperienced  cook  could  prepare. 
It  was  sometimes  indigestible,  but  the  cup 
of  congenial  fellowship  was  so  full  in  the  at- 
mosphere made  by  such  jovial,  high-idealed, 
splendid  friendship  that  the  digestive  or- 
gans of  the  group  were  enabled  to  perform 
some  extrordinary  feats  in  their  particular 
branch  of  service. 

''My  cup  runneth  over"  is  another  jubi- 
lant testimony.  Briggs  says  this  is  "the  cup 
given  to  me  by  my  host,  the  wine  cup  of  wel- 
come." Cheyne  says,  "A  large  portion  be- 
ing a  proof  of  hospitality  (Gen.  43.  34)." 
Elijah  P.  Brown  says,  "This  is  miles  and 
miles  beyond  the  green  pastures  and  still 
waters  with  which  he  started,  and  now  he 
has  got  to  where  his  blessings  come  in  cloud- 
bursts." 

It  spells  contentment.  Paul  said:  "I  have 
learned,  in  whatever  state  I  am,  therewith  to 
be  content."    "All  things  work  together  for 

200 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

good  to  them  that  love  God."  We  are  as- 
sured that  no  harm  can  befall  us.  Even  beds 
of  pain  have  given  out  rare  blessings  to  the 
world.  His  grace  can  bring  peace  under  any 
kind  of  circumstances. 

If  we  reckon  up  our  blessings  of  past 
days,  we  must  conclude  that  our  cup  is  in- 
deed overflowing.  The  post  office  is 
swamped  before  Christmas  with  letters  to 
Santa  Claus  carrying  requests.  But  only 
one  child  remembers  to  write  a  "thank  you" 
note.  Ingratitude  begins  early.  It  always 
bhnds  to  the  beauty  and  richness  of  the  near 
and  present-day  things. 

John  B.  Gough,  on  the  way  to  deliver  a 
lecture,  complaining  under  the  gloom  of 
despair  brought  on  by  discouragement, 
stopped  to  call  on  a  long-time  invalid.  He 
went  away  happy  and  ready  to  endure  any- 
thing. The  invalid  greeted  him  with,  "O, 
Mr.  Gough,  I  am  so  happy." 

"Why?"  he  asked. 

"Because  the  doctor  tells  me  that  if  I  con- 
tinue to  improve,  and  if  the  weather  stays 
fine,  and  if  nothing  unusual  happens,  in  two 

201 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

weeks  I  may  be  turned  over  and  lie  on  my 
other  side."  For  years  she  had  been  com- 
pelled to  lie  helplessly  in  bed. 

The  cup  of  sustenance  and  joy  overflows; 
there  are  no  miserly  portions.  Complaint  is 
groundless  if  we  are  God's  guests.  He  meas- 
ures out  fitting  gifts  to  individuals.  If  we 
always  received  the  coveted  things  we  count 
advantages  to  others,  we  might  be  hindered 
and  crippled  by  those  very  things.  He 
knows  what  I  need  and  fills  my  cup.  One 
sort  of  food  gives  one  person  indigestion  and 
exactly  agrees  with  another  who  may  even 
be  more  frail.  Physicians  rarely  ever  treat 
two  patients  exactly  alike. 

If  we  think  about  and  so  get  the  full  taste 
of  our  cup  as  we  drink  it,  we  will  recognize 
its  value  and  get  its  joy;  otherwise  we  will 
gulp  it  down  almost  uselessly.  To  drink 
with  an  envious  eye  on  another  is  to  embitter 
it.  To  swallow  it  down  ungratefully  is  to 
miss  its  flavor  and  richness. 

Look  at  your  cup  of  joy.  It  contains 
tried  and  cheering  friends.  It  has  fed  heart 
love  and  home  life.    It  holds  remunerative, 

202 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

interesting  work.  It  is  filled  with  health  and 
hopefulness.  It  is  flavored  by  fellowship 
with  Christ  and  Christians.  What  more  can 
it  contain? 

A  cultured  woman  who  for  nine  years  had 
gone  out  doing  washing  so  that  she  could 
support  an  invalid  husband  and  three  chil- 
dren said:  "I  am  so  glad  I  married  for  love. 
If  it  had  been  for  money,  that  might  have 
been  lost.  If  for  beauty,  sickness  might  have 
stolen  that;  but  my  love  has  made  it  a  joy  to 
toil  for  dear  ones  and  the  days  have  been 
glad  ones." 

Other  fountains  cannot  fill  your  cup. 
They  may  provide  temporary  substitutes, 
but  these  do  not  satisfy.  Wealth,  power, 
education,  friends,  influence  only  partially 
quench  our  thirst.  The  Master's  cup  may 
at  times  have  bitter  draughts  in  it;  but  it 
takes  bitter  quinine  to  kill  malaria.  Moral 
drugs  may  save  us  from  degeneration.  We 
may  be  driven  to  confess  a  fault,  to  rectify  a 
wrong,  to  correct  an  exaggeration.  Frost 
spoils  a  turnip,  but  sweetens  a  parsnip. 

"Our  light  affliction,  which  is  but  for  a 

203 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

moment,  worketh  for  us  a  far  more  exceed- 
ing and  eternal  weight  of  glory."  When  he 
directs,  tears  or  smiles  at  the  last  bring  us 
an  overflowing  cup  of  glory. 

Folks  have  been  known  to  leave  a  meal 
when  they  were  hungry,  because  aggravated 
for  the  moment.  When  anger  has  cooled  off 
they  have  come  back  to  their  place  at  the 
table.  Sometimes  folk  act  in  the  same  way 
over  some  slight  or  actual  mistreatment  in 
leaving  the  table  of  the  Lord.  There  will 
be  no  comfort  or  joy  until  you  give  up  your 
backsliding  and  come  back  humbly  to  sit 
with  him  in  heavenly  places.  If  there  is  no 
joy  in  your  religious  life,  then  you  are  not 
sitting  at  the  table  where  our  Lord  is  host.    ' 

We  may  be  proud  of  receiving  the  cup 
from  his  hand.  There  is  an  aristocracy 
among  his  guests,  but  it  is  the  aristocracy  of 
character.  Neither  need  we  be  perfect  in  our 
goodness.  Mary  Magdalene  was  given  a 
cup  overflowing,  and  she  had  nothing  to 
show  but  her  repentance.  This,  however, 
was  enough  to  insure  her  growth  in  good- 
ness, and  her  future  beauty  in  character. 

204 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

We  cannot  be  fully  worthy ;  neither  is  it  nec- 
essary. The  prodigal  son  returned  and 
thus  gave  occasion  for  the  fatted  calf  to  be 
killed.    His  penitence  secured  his  welcome. 

Material  things  cannot  give  us  the  spirit- 
ual blessings  for  which  we  long.  A  boyhood 
friend  of  old  Commodore  Vanderbilt  visited 
him  in  his  days  of  wealth,  and  openly  be- 
grudged him  his  possessions.  The  old  Com- 
modore took  the  man  with  him  one  day  to 
see  the  round  of  duties  that  faced  him. 
When  night  came  on  he  turned  to  the  friend 
from  the  country  and  said:  "Now,  John, 
would  you  trade  places  with  me  for  a  place 
to  sleep,  something  to  eat,  and  clothes  to 
wear?    That  is  all  I  get  out  of  it." 

Without  Christ  as  the  host,  life  is  only  a 
material  grind  or  a  monotonous  routine,  hut 
with  him  there  is  a  bubbling,  brimming  cup 
of  joy  and  refreshment  all  the  days  down  to 
old  age.  Then  comes  the  plaudit,  "Well 
done,  thou  good  and  faithful  servant;  .  .  . 
enter  thou  into  the  joy  of  thy  Lord."  That 
anticipation  keeps  the  cup  overflowing  when 
the  powers  are  worn  down  by  the  years. 

205 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

Captain  Wilson,  quoted  by  Dr.  Briggs, 
tells  the  following  experience  that  he  him- 
self had  as  a  guest  in  an  Oriental  home:  "I 
once  had  this  ceremony  performed  on  myself 
in  the  house  of  a  great  and  rich  Indian,  in 
the  presence  of  a  large  company.  The 
gentleman  of  the  house  poured  upon  my 
head,  my  hands,  and  arms  a  deUghtful 
odoriferous  perfume;  he  then  put  a  golden 
cup  into  my  hands  and  poured  wine  into  it 
until  it  ran  over;  assuring  me  at  the  same 
time  that  it  was  a  great  pleasure  to  him  to  re- 
ceive me,  and  that  I  should  find  a  rich  supply 
in  his  house." 

Samuel  Burden,  quoted  by  Spurgeon, 
says  that  in  the  East  the  guests  are  anointed 
with  fragrant  perfume  to  express  "love  and 
respect,"  while  a  cup  or  glass  is  filled  with 
choice  wine  until  it  runs  over  "to  imply  that 
while  they  remained  there,  they  should  have 
an  abundance  of  everything," 

MacLaren  insists  that  God's  guests  have 
no  "scanty  meal,"  but  a  "banquet  accom- 
panied with  signs  of  festivity,  viz.:  the 
head  anointed  with  oil  and  the  cup  which  is 

206 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

fullness."  Delitzsch  says,  "His  enemies 
must  look  quietly  on,  without  being  able  to 
do  anything,  and  see  how  Jehovah  provides 
bountifully  for  his  guest,  anoints  him  with 
sweet  perfumes  as  at  a  joyous  and  magnifi- 
cent banquet,  and  fills  his  cup  to  excess." 

Dr.  Briggs  calls  this  "a  cup  of  welcome 
from  my  host."  He  adds  that  the  word  can 
be  translated  "exhilarating."  All  who  take 
it  will  get  a  blessing;  they  will  be  thrilled 
by  its  contents. 

It  includes  ''daily  bread"  Delitzsch  says, 
concerning  the  promise  in  the  cup,  "What  is 
meant  thereby  is  not  necessarily  only  bless- 
ings of  a  spiritual  kind,  it  also  includes  an 
abundance  of  daily  bread  streaming  in  upon 
them."  We  forget  that  God's  hand  is  in 
that.  Mark  Guy  Pearse  tells  us  that  in  the 
month  of  August  we  are  within  six  weeks 
of  starvation.  If  suddenly  the  heavens 
should  be  closed  or  the  sun  cease  to  shine, 
all  the  food  in  the  world  would  be  eaten 
in  six  weeks. 

An  old  lady  was  earnestly  praying  for 
food  when  the  larder  was  bare.    Mischievous 

207 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

lads  heard  her,  slipped  away,  got  two  loaves 
and  dropped  them  through  the  chimney. 
When  they  arrived  she  immediately  dropped 
on  her  knees  and  thanked  God  for  sending 
the  bread.  The  boys  to  work  out  the  joke 
knocked  on  the  door  and  told  her  that  God 
did  not  send  the  bread,  but  that  they  brought 
it.  Her  face  was  radiant  and  her  spirit  calm 
as  she  looked  at  them  and  said,  "God  did 
send  the  bread,  even  though  the  devil 
brought  it." 

But  it  is  an  overflowing  cup.  God's 
promise  to  Abraham  was,  "I  will  bless  thee, 
.  .  .  And  thou  shalt  be  a  blessing"  (Gen. 
12.  2) .  The  disciples  on  receiving  the  Holy 
Spirit  immediately  aroused  from  their  leth- 
argy and  began  preaching.  Paul's  vision 
was  translated  into  world  missionary  jour- 
neys. "Give,  and  it  shall  be  given"  is  the 
Master's  promise.  If  we  have  nothing  to 
give  out  to  others,  then  we  have  not  been 
blessed  of  God.  He  will  multiply  the  cruse 
of  oil.    He  will  fill  the  cup  to  overflowing. 

Riches  come  from  giving,  not  from  get- 
ting. The  poorest  man  is  the  rich  miser.  He 

208 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

that  loses  his  hfe  saves  it.  Nothing  given 
out  in  His  name  is  wasted.  "My  word  shall 
not  return  to  me  void."  His  blessings  must 
overflow;  other  kinds  are  spurious. 

His  cup  of  blessings  contains  daily  expe- 
riences of  protection  and  provision.  Ordi- 
nary events  spell  out  his  love  for  us.  An  old 
saint  near  starvation  was  brought  food 
enough  to  sustain  her  life  and  to  bring  her 
back  to  health.  Exultingly  she  exclaimed 
as  she  surveyed  the  food,  "All  this  and  Christ 
too."  With  him  God  freely  gives  us  all 
things  richly  to  enjoy. 


209 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 


CHAPTER  IX 

FORETASTING  A  HOMELIKE 
HEAVEN 

"  Surely  goodness  and  mercy  shall  follow  me  all  the 

days  of  my  life :  and  I  shall  dwell  in  the 

house  of  the  Lord  forever  " 

Admiral  Usher,  in  charge  of  the  naval 
forces  at  New  York,  insisted  in  the  midst  of 
war  that  no  men  in  that  service  were  agnos- 
tics or  doubters.  He  said,  "Men  who  live  in 
the  constant  presence  of  death  cannot  but  be- 
lieve in  God  and  the  future  life."  Few  intel- 
ligent people  now  deny  immortality.  All 
nations  and  tribes  in  the  past  have  had  and 
now  have  some  form  of  belief  in  it.  Reward 
and  punishment  have  generally  been  con- 
nected with  the  future  life. 

The  people  holding  the  clearest  views  al- 
ways have  advanced  the  most  rapidly. 
Christianity,  with  its  positive  doctrine  of 
"eternal  life"  and   a  prepared  "place,"  has 

210 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

brought  forth  the  largest  men  and  insured 
the  most  rapid  advancement.  If  existence 
ends  the  day  after  to-morrow,  at  the  death 
hour  endurance  and  experience  have  httle 
value.  Ambition  will  wither  if  there  is  no 
impetus  toward  the  future.  If  death  ends 
all,  then  "let  us  eat,  drink,  and  be  merry." 
The  Roman  Stoic  who  opened  a  blood  vessel 
when  loss  or  disgrace  faced  him  did  a  logical 
and  sane  thing. 

Christ  was  the  ''first  fruits f  None  before 
him  had  themselves  arisen  from  the  grave. 
He  thus  underwrote  his  promises.  "I  know 
whom  I  have  believed,  and  am  persuaded 
that  he  is  able  to  keep  that  which  I  have  com- 
mitted unto  him  against  that  day,"  said 
Paul.  We  do  not  sorrow  as  those  who  are 
without  hope ;  we  are  assured  of  immortality. 
Such  a  hope  plants  quenchless  joy,  for  the 
last  defeating  enemy  is  conquered. 

A  cheerless  life  never  reaches  its  best.  An 
optimistic  disposition  acts  on  character  as 
sunshine  does  on  flowers.  Plants  that  catch 
but  a  few  scattered  rays  must  always  be 
puny.    His  peace  flows  like  a  river ;  it  is  not 

211 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

spasmodic  or  periodic.  A  grumpy  life  hin- 
ders digestion  and  sours  the  temper.  Fault- 
finding shrivels  the  heart.  Ingratitude  leads 
to  treachery — ^remember  Benedict  Arnold. 

Happy  folks  are  usually  fleshy  and  good- 
natured.  The  one  who  worries  or  always 
picks  flaws  is  thin  and  weak.  The  big- 
hearted  have  plenty  of  friends.  The  dom- 
ineering and  snarly  drive  folks  away  from 
them.  Everyone  may  be  hopeful  in  this 
bright  day  of  God's  rule  on  earth  no  matter 
if  temporary  clouds  do  arise. 

Corporal  R.  Derby  Holmes  in  the  Amer- 
ican Monthly  magazine  tells  the  story  of  his 
regeneration  through  the  medium  of  war- 
trench  experiences.  Running  away  from 
home,  he  enlisted  in  the  navy,  but  deserted 
and  was  saved  from  court-martial  by  an 
earnest  plea  for  another  chance.  He  then 
deserted  again,  was  imprisoned  for  a  year 
and  a  half,  and  finally  went  to  England  to 
enlist.  He  first  "found  himself"  after  vol- 
unteering almost  thoughtlessly  with  a  squad 
assigned  to  make  a  raid  across  No  Man's 
Land.    He  was  there  converted,  made  new 

212 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

in  ambition,  moral  habits,  and  directed  en- 
ergy. In  explaining  the  cause  he  says :  "The 
one  thing  that  did  more  for  me  than  any- 
thing else  was  the  constant  thought  of  death. 
Even  now  that  I  have  come  out  of  the  war 
[for  permanent  wounds  sent  him  back  to 
America],  I  find  that  I  haven't  lost  that 
thought  of  death.  I  came  to  realize  that  life 
is  only  a  passing  thing,  and  that  whatever  I 
want  to  make  of  it  must  be  made  right  nowf' 
We  sing,  ''When  I  can  read  my  title 
clear''  We  need  not  wait  to  do  that.  Al- 
ready we  have  "passed  from  death  unto  life." 
"He  that  hath  the  Son  hath  life."  "He  that 
belie veth  on  the  Son  hath  life  everlasting." 
Enoch  walked  with  God,  and  was  not,  for 
God  took  him.  A  little  girl  who  had  heard 
the  story  repeated  it  in  her  own  way  as  fol- 
lows: "One  day  God  and  Enoch  went  for  a 
long  walk.  They  were  so  interested  talking 
together  that  they  did  not  notice  how  far 
they  had  gone.  Suddenly  they  discovered 
that  Enoch  was  a  long  ways  from  home  and 
very  tired.  God  then  asked  him  to  go  home 
and  stay  with  him."  When  we  get  the  right 

213 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

notion  of  death,  then  the  other  hfe  appears 
but  as  another  room  of  this  same  house,  the 
universe,  which  God  owns  and  furnishes  for 
us. 

The  progress  of  the  psalm  has  been  very 
natural.  At  the  beginning  man  was  a  sheep, 
who  took  orders  and  obeyed  somewhat 
bhndly  and  automatically.  That  is  also  the 
picture  given  in  the  story  of  the  garden  of 
Eden.  But  when  man  went  into  the  "valley 
of  the  shadow  of  death"  he  found  in  his  dire 
need  a  deeper  nature  that  responded  and  was 
congenial  to  the  companion  later  incarnated 
in  Christ.  He  then  ceased  to  be  a  sheep,  and 
became  a  fellow  pilgrim  with  the  angel  that 
changed  Jacob,  the  Supplanter,  into  Israel, 
a  prince  of  God.  It  was  easily  natural  then 
for  him  to  sit  and  feast  with  him  in  a  home- 
like manner.  Such  fellowship  becomes  so 
normal  that  the  pilgrim  anticipated  the  next 
life  happily  because  he  is  to  dwell  with  the 
God  that  he  found,  while  walking  earth's 
pathway,  as  a  Shepherd  and  Friend  and 
whom  he  also  often  met  face  to  face  while 
worshiping  in  his  temple.     This  pilgrim  is 

214 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

quite  willing  to  have  such  intimate  associa- 
tion, as  came  to  him  in  worship,  stand  as  the 
symbol  for  heaven,  for  then  it  will  be  home- 
like. 

The  psalm  goes  step  by  step  to  the  tri- 
umphaiit  claim  of  a  victorious  future.  We 
are  led  beside  the  still  waters,  deep,  quiet- 
ing and  thirst-quenching.  After  a  satisfying 
meal  we  lie  down  in  the  green  grass.  The 
depleted  soul  is  restored  and  is  gladdened  by 
visions  of  the  Shepherd- God.  We  are  di- 
rected so  that  the  path  of  righteousness  is 
clearly  marked  before  our  feet.  We  are  ac- 
companied in  life's  dangerous  and  heart- 
straining  valleys  and  rested  at  a  banquet 
table  where  we  are  fitted  to  meet  and  defeat 
our  alert  enemies.  We  are  given  an  honor- 
ing welcome  and  our  hurts  are  healed.  Such 
loving  and  considerate  treatment  founds  a 
confidence  that  declares:  "Surely  goodness 
and  mercy  shall  follow  me  all  the  days  of  my 
life."  Such  care,  such  love,  such  expenditure 
can  be  explained  by  nothing  short  of  the  fact 
that  God  is  fitting  me  so  that  "I  will  dwell  in 
the  house  of  the  Lord  forever." 

216 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

The  feast  spread  in  the  presence  of  my  en- 
emies is  finished.  We  are  again  on  our  feet 
walking  in  the  "way."  It  is  necessary  to  keep 
our  eyes  open.  The  enemies  are  no  longer 
restrained  by  fear  of  the  Host.  They  will 
undertake  to  lure  us  into  a  bypath  where 
they  can  assault  us.  They  will  follow 
stealthily,  endeavoring  to  catch  us  off  guard, 
even  though  we  do  follow  the  Shepherd. 
We  are  never  secure  against  "falling"  until 
safe  at  home. 

Satan's  allies  attack  us,  purposed  to  cap- 
ture and  destroy  our  souls.  A  man  once  a 
slave  to  liquor  stood  for  two  happy  years  on 
strong  sober  limbs  amid  the  taunts  of 
former  drinking  companions.  With  devilish 
glee  former  companions  fired  the  old  appe- 
tite by  giving  him  a  piece  of  fruit  cake  satu- 
rated with  brandy,  and  he  fell. 

"Goodness  and  mercy''  are  the  twin  angels 
that  are  to  give  man  everything  he  needs. 
"Surely"  is  by  some  taken  to  be  a  form  trans- 
lated in  other  places  as  "only."  Then  it 
would  be  "only  goodness  and  mercy."  The 
meaning  is  practically  the  same.  God  so  rules 

216 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

that  all  the  experiences  of  earth  work  for  us 
what  "goodness  and  mercy"  should  work. 

It  does  not  mean  simply  financial,  ma- 
terial, or  even  mental  prosperity.  We  will 
have  our  failures,  om-  sorrows,  our  losses, 
and  our  questionings.  But  it  will  be  suffi- 
cient, however,  that  "in  all  these  things  we 
are  more  than  conquerors  through  him  that 
loved  us*'  (Rom.  8.  37) .  When  we  are  in  the 
"valley,"  the  Companion  is  there;  when  the 
enemies  threaten,  he  sits  in  our  midst;  when 
life's  pathway  ends,  we  will  dwell  forever  at 
home. 

Nothing  so  aids  the  forces  of  evil  as 
discouragement.  Men  are  frightened  away 
from  goodness  by  it.  They  are  assured  by 
Satan  ahead  of  time  that  they  will  fail  in  en- 
deavoring to  follow  Christ.  Countless  thou- 
sands give  up  the  fight  because  they  have 
failed  once  or  twice.  An  oath  slips  out  of 
the  mouth,  a  dishonest  deal  leads  them  tem- 
porarily astray,  an  old  habit  trips  them  un- 
expectedly. And  so  they  surrender.  This 
is  not  in  line  with  the  American  spirit.  Our 
soldiers  will  usually  fight  as  Paul  Jones's 

217 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

men  did.  They  know  no  surrender  except 
to  death.  The  same  spirit  must  actuate 
Christ's  fighters.  A  wound,  a  fall,  a  fail- 
ure need  not  defeat  us.  We  must  not  give 
up.  We  must  "fight  a  good  fight"  and  keep 
"the  faith."  Goodness  and  mercy  follow 
us  and  should  save  us  from  despair.  Paul 
assures  us  that  we  have  a  Saviour  who  was 
"tempted  like  as  we  are";  then  let  us  "come 
boldly  to  the  throne  of  grace,  that  we  may 
obtain  mercy,  and  find  grace  to  help  in  time 
of  need." 

Goodness  promises  us  all  our  wants. 
Mercy  insures  us  care,  whether  we  are 
worthy  or  not.  Goodness  may  convict  us  of 
sin  and  make  us  a  culprit,  but  mercy  offers 
us  pardon  and  reconciliation.  Goodness 
woos  us  back  to  the  Father,  as  was  the  son 
living  in  prodigal  carelessness  when  he  re- 
membered the  home  conditions.  Mercy 
greets  the  son  when  he  returns  and  refur- 
nishes him  for  his  place  in  the  home.  Good- 
ness offers  healing.  Mercy  works  it  out. 
What  blessed  twin  words  these  are!  They 
never  go  alone. 

218 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

Thankfulness  builds  faith.  We  beg  too 
much  in  prayer.  We  need  to  reckon  our 
treasures  that  come  from  above  to  recognize 
a  love  that  can  be  trusted  all  the  time.  We 
need  not  detail  our  to-morrow  needs. 
Prayer  is  not  sending  a  list  to  heaven's  store- 
house as  we  do  to  the  family  grocery.  It  is 
a  quieting  of  fears  by  reassurance  and  an 
opening  of  the  ears  for  orders.  The  Father 
is  not  too  busy  to  notice  and  watch  over  us. 
Not  a  sparrow  falls  without  him.  So  we  re- 
call his  "goodness  and  mercy"  and  thank  him 
in  happy  contentment  as  we  are  thus  assured 
of  all  future  needs. 

The  world  judges  our  acts  without  know- 
ing our  disposition.  Some  deserve  more 
credit  for  being  "good"  than  others.  We  do 
inherit  traits  that  are  hard  to  overcome.  *  We 
are  often  defeated  alone  by  inherited  ten- 
dencies. God  knows  and  follows  us  with  his 
mercy  when  we  do  our  best. 

Often  we  are  stung  by  a  remorse  which 
says,  ''If  you  had  only  done  it  this  way  or 
that/'  His  goodness  recognizes  that  while 
there  have  been  mistakes,  our  best  was  put 

219 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

into  the  decision  and  action.  His  mercy  will 
save  our  mistakes  from  causing  the  damage 
that  they  would  otherwise  do. 

We  seem  to  have  failed  utterly,  and  are 
tortured  and  tantahzed  for  days  and  weeks. 
His  goodness  insures  us  so  that  out  of  it 
shall  come  best  results.  His  mercy  soothes 
the  soul  unto  restful  trust.  These  twin 
angels  bring  us  into  quiet  and  peace. 

His  goodness  and  mercy  redeem,  God 
never  fails  to  placard  sin.  Health  author- 
ities have  kept  down  the  death  rate  by  plac- 
ing cards  upon  homes  where  diphtheria, 
scarlet  fever,  and  other  contagious  diseases 
exist.  The  surgeon  has  often  performed 
operations  that  have  left  victims  scarred 
and  in  a  physical  way  less  capable  for  work, 
but  the  treatment  was  necessary  to  stop  the 
inroads  of  disease.  If  the  surgeon  was  so 
"soft-hearted"  as  to  be  unwilling  to  inflict 
suffering  when  the  avoidance  of  that  inflic- 
tion coming  in  an  operation  would  have 
brought  death,  then  should  he  not  forfeit  his 
diploma?  Inflicted  pain  is  often  a  merciful 
good. 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

Whisky  burns  the  inward  parts,  makes  the 
head  dizzy,  and  staggers  the  judgment.  It 
thus  shows  at  its  first  entrance  some  of  the 
ultimate  degeneration  which  it  will  work  on 
the  character  if  its  use  is  continued.  These 
placards  or  danger  signals  should  be  heeded. 
"The  goodness  of  God  leadeth  thee  to  re- 
pentance." We  will  recognize  that  goodness 
in  all  of  our  experiences.  We  see  that  he 
plans  best  things  for  us  everywhere  and  al- 
ways. 

We  will  not  have  an  easy  time,  Christ's 
soldiers  will  have  enemies  to  combat  even  as 
do  those  who  fight  in  the  trenches.  Temp- 
tations assail  bitterly,  but  defeat  need  never 
be  known.  He  that  is  with  us  is  more  than 
he  with  them. 

A  man  addicted  to  opium  complained  to 
the  physician  treating  him  that  he  must  have 
a  grain  or  two  or  he  would  go  down,  as  he 
could  not  exist  without  it.  The  physician 
answered,  "Then  go  down  like  a  man." 

A  fellow  traveler  gave  John  G.  Wooley 
a  headache  remedy  on  the  train,  which 
aroused    all    his    old    appetite    for    drink. 

221 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

He  came  into  a  town  and  searched  in  vain 
for  whisky.  He  then  fought  all  day  Sun- 
day with  his  room  locked.  He  came  near 
falhng  and  had  a  tremendous  struggle,  but 
the  mercy  of  God  did  not  allow  him  to  ut- 
terly go  over  the  brink.  The  battle,  how- 
ever, left  him  a  stronger  and  nobler  man. 
The  trenches  developed  unsuspected  heroes. 
We  must  not  pray  for  ease,  but  only  for  vic- 
torious grace. 

Then  he  will  completely  pardon.  Our 
past  may  cause  us  to  keep  on  guard,  but  it 
need  not  keep  us  backward.  His  blood 
makes  us  white  as  snow.  The  sins  are 
blotted  out ;  they  are  removed  from  us  as  far 
as  the  east  is  from  the  west.  No  more  will 
they  appear  against  us.  His  mercy  saves  us 
from  a  dragging,  cripphng  memory  of  past 
sin. 

This  goodness  and  mercy  abide  all  the 
days.  Not  merely  as  a  cradle  bed  of  repose 
and  ease,  but  as  servants  to  aid  in  fixing 
character.  When  we  have  appropriated 
their  influence  for  years,  temptations  lose 
their  power.    Outbreaks  of  sin  become  as  re- 

222 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

pugnant  to  us  as  moral  lapses  would  to  the 
sweet-hearted  woman. 

We  do  not  need  to  seek  a  Persian  prayer 
mat,  a  Roman  Catholic  confessional  box,  an 
Episcopalian  prayer  book,  a  Methodist  altar, 
nor  a  three-by-four  clothes  closet.  Every 
place  is  hallowed  ground.  "They  who  seek 
the  throne  of  grace  find  that  throne  in  every 
place." 

We  are  growing  as  steadily  and  surely 
as  the  oak  amid  storm  and  sunshine.  All 
men  are  under  the  influence  of  the  good- 
ness and  mercy  of  God,  but  all  do  not  appro- 
priate that  influence.  The  sun  and  the  rain 
fall  on  the  evil  and  the  good,  but  only  a  few 
are  able  to  turn  the  material  products  of  the 
soil  into  soul  sustenance. 

Such  goodness  and  mercy  demand  a 
future  life,  God  would  not  waste  constant 
oversight  on  a  soul  that  was  to  perish  at  the 
grave. 

"I  shall  dwell  in  the  house  of  the  Lord 
forever." 

Optimism  grows  out  of  this  conviction 
and  the  resulting  cheeriness  clears  up  the 

223 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

gloom  until  the  other  shore  looms  near  and 
clear. 

Plummer  says,  "To  the  true  Israel  the 
house  of  God  was  from  early  times  an  em- 
blem of  the  house  not  made  with  hands,  so 
that  the  last  clause  of  this  verse  points  not 
only  to  great  blessings  arising  from  com- 
munion with  God  on  earth,  but  to  still 
higher,  richer  enjoyments  of  those  who  wor- 
ship in  the  sanctuary  above."  The  psalmist, 
you  will  remember,  said:  "One  thing  have  I 
desired  of  the  Lord,  that  will  I  seek  after; 
that  I  may  dwell  in  the  house  of  the  Lord." 
Paul  tells  us  that  "if  our  earthly  house  of 
this  tabernacle  were  dissolved,  we  have  a 
building  of  God,  an  house  not  made  with 
hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens"  (2  Cor.  5.  1). 
The  "household  of  faith"  (Gal.  6.  10),  liter- 
ally translated,  means  "in  the  home  of  faith." 
In  the  book  of  Ecclesiastes  death  is  given 
the  figure  of  "Man  goeth  to  his  long  home" 
(Eccl.  12.  5).  The  term  carries  to  our 
thought  the  fact  that  heaven  is  not  a  strange, 
abnormal  place,  but  that  they  who  walk  with 
God  here  will  feel  at  home  there. 

224 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

Adam  Clarke  says:  ''During  the  rest  of 
my  life  I  shall  not  he  separated  from  God's 
house,  nor  from  God's  ordinances;  and  shall 
at  last  dwell  with  him  in  glory.  These  last 
two  verses  seem  to  be  the  language  of  a  priest 
returned  from  captivity  to  live  in  the  temple, 
and  serve  God  the  rest  of  his  life." 

Perowne  says:  "The  house  of  Jehovah 
might  refer  primarily  to  the  tabernacle,  as 
later  to  the  temple ;  and  if  so,  that  to  which 
he  looked  forward  as  access  to  God  in  his 
sanctuary,  and  the  blessedness  of  com- 
munion with  him  there.  He  was  thinking 
perhaps  of  this  hfe  more  than  the  next." 

The  Jews  had  no  very  clear  conception  of 
a  future  hfe.  The  Sadducees  in  Jesus's  day 
denied  another  existence  after  death,  while 
the  Pharisees  affirmed  it.  It  is  hard  to  get 
a  concrete  vision  or  promise  of  it  in  the  Old 
Testament.  Immortality  was,  however, 
never  denied,  but  seemed,  rather,  to  be  taken 
for  granted. 

The  temple  of  God  contained  the  "Holy 
of  holies,"  and  into  this  the  high  priest  went 
once  a  year,  because  it  was  beheved  to  be  the 

225 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

place  of  God's  abode.  If  he  was  not  struck 
dead,  then  God  was  not  angry  with  the  peo- 
ple and  they  returned  to  their  daily  pursuits^ 
with  confident  joy.  When  Daniel  prayed 
he  did  so  with  his  face  toward  Jerusalem,  be- 
cause God  was  supposed  to  live  there. 
When  this  author,  therefore,  expresses  the 
wish  to  dwell  in  the  house  of  the  Lord,  he 
merely  affirms  a  desire  to  be  near  God. 

We  sing,  ''Where  Jesus  is  'tis  heaven," 
"In  thy  presence  is  fullness  of  joy.  At  thy 
right  hand  are  pleasures  for  evermore."  The 
promise  then  is  that  we  shall  be  with  him.  If 
God  be  there,  whatever  conditions  may  exist 
he  will  make  them  heavenlike.  Each  of  us 
may  now  be  the  temple  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 
Repentance  will  bring  cleansing  and  fitness. 
Then  we  need  only  to  open  the  door  of  our 
heart  for  his  entrance  and  we  will  immedi- 
ately begin  to  have  heaven. 

As  Christ's  disciples  we  will  find  ourselves 
congenial  to  the  truths  and  the  services  of 
the  house  of  God.  We  will  discover  that 
people  who  there  worship  with  us  grow  into 
a  close  and  sweetening  fellowship.    We  en- 

226 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

joy  their  company,  we  converse  along  sim- 
ilar lines.  We  have  common  thoughts  and 
it  is  a  joy  to  discuss  them  even  as  are  the 
common  experiences  of  happy  travelers. 

Something  is  wrong  with  us  if  we  do  not 
feel  at  home  in  the  house  of  God.  When  we 
are  discordant  with  a  chorus  the  chorus  is  not 
to  blame,  but  we  need  to  adjust  our  voice 
and  spirit.  If  we  do  not  desire  to  dwell  in 
the  house  of  God  here  and  now,  we  cannot 
expect  to  meet  Christ  face  to  face  in  the 
homeland. 

There  may  be  cuts  and  wounds  and  scars 
and  beatings  and  stripes,  if  not  imprison- 
ments and  shipwrecks — such  as  Paul  en- 
dured; but  we  will  not  be  hurt  in  our  real 
selves.  He  will  protect  us  as  the  "apple  of 
his  eye."  We  are  in  his  house,  we  are  under 
his  care.  If  he  has  conquered  the  grave, 
even  death  cannot  hurt  us. 

He  will  he  with  us  here  on  all  kinds  of 
occasions,  "Lo,  I  am  with  you  always."  In 
this  way  he  will  understand  us,  and  our  home 
''over  there"  will  be  a  prepared  home  fitted 
to  our  peculiar  natures.    The  promise  is  that 

227 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

he  will  "prepare  a  place  for  you."  We  can 
then  be  steady,  well-poised  and  certain  in  our 
purpose. 

When  the  Germans  were  overrunning 
Ypres  and  pushing  rapidly  on  toward 
Paris,  General  Haig  rode  out  with  fresh 
troops  so  calm,  so  confident,  so  determined  in 
his  plan  to  fight  and  win,  and  so  well  pre- 
pared to  do  so,  that  the  retreating  Allies  re- 
formed and  went  back  with  him  and  saved 
the  day  from  defeat.  Our  steadiness  and  as- 
surance may  fit  us  to  calm  the  fears  of  others. 

This  large  hope  keeps  our  ambition  alert 
and  alive.  We  look  forward  happily  as  we 
appropriate  the  goodness  and  mercy  in  an 
eager  desire  to  be  ready  for  the  day  when 
we  shall  see  him  face  to  face.  As  the  bride 
gathers  together  all  her  resources  to  fit  her- 
self to  worthily  greet  the  bridegroom,  so  do 
we  to  be  ready  to  receive  our  coming  Lord. 

Old  people,  strange  to  say,  do  not  find  it 
easy  to  leave  earth,  but  seem  to  get  the  habit 
of  living;  this  has  promise  in  it.  Young 
people  give  up  more  easily  and  count  it  more 
natural  to  die.    It  may  be  that  the  soul  has 

228 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

so  appropriated  life  that  death  does  not  have 
the  terrors  that  come  in  the  earher  mysteries 
of  life.  We  must  completely  follow  the 
Good  Shepherd.  We  must  gladly  sit  at  the 
table  of  the  Lord  as  his  guests.  We  must 
appropriate  all  the  good  things  of  the  house 
of  God.  Then  some  glad  day  we  will  find 
ourselves  "face  to  face/'  and  will  know  even 
as  we  are  known. 

We  must  separate  ourselves  utterly  from 
the  domination  of  the  material  world.  F.  B. 
Meyer  tells  of  a  rich  and  pleasure-seeking 
woman  who  was  converted  and  joined  the 
Salvation  Army.  When  she  accepted  the 
simple  uniform  and  quarters  she  put  her  fine 
clothes  and  jewelry  into  a  trunk  and  stored 
them  away  where  she  might  pick  them  up 
again  when  she  backslid.  Naturally,  she  did 
not  stay  in  the  service  long;  she  had  not 
burned  her  bridges  behind  her.  In  reckon- 
ing the  warfare  against  the  evil  power  she 
did  not  decide  to  give  herself  completely  to 
Christ's  cause. 

We  are  not  to  wear  an  orphan-asylum  uni- 
form.   We  are  not  to  have  our  personality 

229 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

erased.  As  "one  star  differs  from  another 
star,"  so  shall  we  be  in  glory.  Each  will  have 
his  place  and  task.  Then  we  need  envy  no 
one  else.  It  behooves  us  to  earnestly  and 
eagerly  fill  our  own  place  so  that  the  work 
there  will  bring  us  the  best  possible  cultiva- 
tion and  growth;  the  end  will  be — "enter 
into  the  joy  of  the  Lord." 

Heaven  is  near  earth.  "The  tabernacle  of 
God  is  with  men."  The  house  of  God  here 
may  be  very  similar  to  the  house  of  God  we 
may  see  beyond.  Thrilling  visions  have 
come  to  us  in  worship  hours.  Time  is  not 
wasted  by  church  attendance.  Strength 
and  stimulus  have  been  implanted,  and  cour- 
age for  trying  contests  has  come  again  and 
again.  God  has  touched  and  transformed 
our  lives.  We  have  gone  away  assured  that 
he  was  near. 

Fellowship  is  real  and  normal  in  the  fu- 
ture life,  Moses  and  Elias,  kindred  spirits, 
both  given  to  discouragement  and  impa- 
tience on  earth,  were  together  in  heaven.  It 
does  not  seem  abnormal  for  us  to  find  Jesus 
on  the  mount  of  transfiguration;  he  appears 

230 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 

very  much  at  home.  Lazarus  immediately 
found  his  way  to  Abraham's  bosom;  that 
was  what  he  needed  and  longed  to  secure. 

Then  he  "that  hath  this  hope  in  him  puri- 
fieth  himself,  even  as  he  is  pure."  Otherwise 
values  will  be  mixed  and  sight  blurred  and 
guides  fall  into  the  pit  with  those  they  lead. 

George  Rue,  a  little  adopted  lad  near  Chi- 
cago, had  a  shrunken  leg.  A  beautiful 
young  woman  had  been  badly  burned  in 
an  automobile  accident.  The  doctor  de- 
clared that  skin  must  be  secured  to  graft 
upon  the  burned  places  of  the  young  lady's 
body  or  else  she  would  die.  The  lad  heard 
about  it  and  quickly  offered  his  shrunken 
leg.  He  insisted  and  finally  they  amputated 
it.  The  skin  there  was  sufficient  to  restore 
the  young  woman  to  life  again.  But  the 
shock  was  too  great  for  George  and  he  died. 
But  he  did  so  with  a  smile  and  a  joy  crown 
on  his  brow,  insisting  that  it  was  a  privilege 
to  expend  himself  for  the  healing  and  hap- 
piness of  another.  He  went  into  the  other 
life  as  one  graduates  from  school  into  active 
life. 

231 


COMFORT  AND  STRENGTH 

When  we  go  into  the  house  of  God 
through  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death, 
we  go  no  more  out  forever.  We  do  not  then 
sit  down  in  the  presence  of  our  enemies,  we 
have  no  tears  to  be  wiped  away,  but  we  are 
to  be  forever  with  the  Lord.  With  Victor 
Hugo  we  may  sing, 

"Let  us  be  like  the  bird 

New  lighted  on  a  twig  that  swings : 
He  feels  its  sway  but  sings  on  unaffrighted, 
Knowing  he  has  his  wings." 


FROM  THE  SHEPHERD  PSALM 


BIBLIOGRAPHY 

Maclaren,  Alexander,  The  Book  of  Psalms. 

Barnes,  Albert,  Book  of  the  Psahns. 

Van  Dyke,  Henry,  Story  of  the  Psalms. 

Brown,  Elijah,  Lifting  the  Latch. 

Meyer,  F.  B.,  The  Shepherd  Psalm. 

Warner,  Anna,  The  Melody  of  the  Twenty-third 

Psalm. 
HucKEL,  Oliver,  The  Melody  of  God's  Love. 
Miller,  James  Russell,  By  the  Still  Waters. 
Knight,  William  Allen,  The  Song  of  Our  Syrian 

Guest. 
Barton,  William  E.,  The  Psalms  and  Their  Story. 
Freeman,  John  D.,  Life  on  the  Uplands. 
GuERiN,  Jules.  The  Syrian  Shepherd's  Psalm. 
Perowne,  J.  J.  S.,  The  Psalms,  Vol.  II. 
Spurgeon,  C.  H.,  The  Treasury  of  David. 


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Comfort  and  strength  from  the  Shepherd 


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